(02/01/17) Speaking about rail fares coming into effect on 2 Janaury 2017, Minister for Transport & the Islands, Humza Yousaf said:

“2016 was a challenging year for the rail industry with delays and disruption impacting on commuters’ day to day rail travel. The Scottish Government knew this was simply not good enough, so took steps to ensure Scotrail addressed this by introducing a 249-point Performance Improvement Plan which we are now monitoring closely. We are confident ScotRail can and will deliver the kind of services passengers deserve.

“We want to reward passengers for their continued custom and patience while we deliver our extensive programme of improvements, and so I have announced a £3 million fare initiative in 2017 which will give one week’s free travel to monthly and annual season ticket holders, worth more in cash terms than a fares freeze. Edinburgh to Glasgow monthly season ticket holders, for example, will save £95.50 as a result of the free week initiative compared with £82.80 had fares been frozen. ScotRail are also currently developing a set of fare promotions throughout the year for weekly season ticket holders as well as less frequent rail travellers to ensure more customers benefit from our investment in Scotland’s railways.

“We have invested twice as much per head in the rail network in Scotland than the UK Government – some £7 billion in rail since 2007 – but I want to do more to make rail a more accessible, attractive, and reliable transport option. That’s why we are investing a further £5 billion to 2019 in a package of rail improvements that will deliver longer, greener trains on our flagship routes, new stations, new track upgrades, more seats, and more services – that will truly transform Scotland’s railways.”

Source: http://news.gov.scot/news/transport-minister-comments-on-2017-rail-fares

(01/01/17) First Minister gifts first Baby Boxes to expectant parents.

Scotland’s first Baby Boxes have been delivered by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The Scottish Government is gifting every newborn baby a Box of essential items, such as clothes, nappies and books, to help ensure they get the best start in life. Following the hugely successful Finnish model, the Box is also suitable for babies to sleep in. The baby box concept is also intended to encourage engagement by expectant mothers with maternity and antenatal services.

The three-month pilot begins today in Clackmannanshire and Orkney, and the Baby Box will be rolled out to all newborns by the summer of 2017.

The First Minister was at Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre to meet parents and midwives and to distribute the first Boxes.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“Scotland’s Baby Box is a strong signal of our determination that every child, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life.

“The Box contains around 40 different essential items for new babies and for parents. It’s a simple idea with a proven record in tackling deprivation, improving health and supporting parents, and I’m proud and excited that the pilot is now underway.

“Being a parent is the most important but also the most difficult job there is so it’s important that parents get as much support as possible. The Box complements the existing services available to help babies and parents to thrive in the crucial early months.”

Mum to be Joan McKinven said:

“I’m very impressed with the contents of the box. I think any support will be appreciated by new parents. There are a lot of helpful items so I think it will be well used.”

Gillian Morton, Head of Midwifery at NHS Forth Valley said:

“We are delighted that Clackmannanshire has been selected as one of the pilot sites for the new baby boxes. Pregnant women from the local area are really looking forward to receiving their boxes and we are sure the wide range of items will be very useful during those important early weeks and months.”

The Box will also contain a poem specially written by Scotland’s Makar, Jackie Kay, called Welcome Wee One.

Jackie Kay
Welcome Wee One

O ma darlin wee one
At last you are here in the wurld
And wi’ aa your wisdom
Your een bricht as the stars,
You’ve filled this hoose with licht,
Yer trusty wee haun, your globe o’ a heid,
My cherished yin, my hert’s ain!

O my darlin wee one
The hale wurld welcomes ye:
The mune glowes; the hearth wairms.
Let your life hae luck, health, charm,
Ye are my bonny blessed bairn,
My small miraculous gift.
I never kent luve like this.

Background
Some of the items in the Scottish Baby Box are listed below; clothes come in a range of sizes for newborn, 0-3 months and 3-6 months.

Mattress
Fitted cot sheets
Satin edged cellular blanket
Mattress protector
Pramsuit with hood
All-in-one day suit
Romper and bodysuit set
Scratch mittens
Short-sleeved bodysuit
Long-sleeved bodysuit
Long-sleeved bodysuit with integral scratch mitten
Long-sleeved wraparound bodysuit
Footed leggings
Fleece jacket with hood
Jersey trousers
Baby wrap
Hooded bath towel
Real nappy and liners
Digital ear thermometer and replacement hygiene cover
Natural bath sponge
Bath and room baby thermometer and battery
Dribbler bib
Organic cotton muslin squares
Comforter / soother toy
PlayTalkRead play mat
PlayTalkRead travel changing mat
Baby book
Nursing pads

Keith Brown outlines the risks of hard Brexit.

Scotland’s Economy Secretary has urged the UK Government to listen to the strong evidence from independent experts warning of significant and negative economic consequences of a hard Brexit on both the UK and Scotland’s economy.

With more than six months now having elapsed since the Brexit vote, Keith Brown said it was ‘completely untenable’ that the UK Government were still unable to even give their indicative position on Single Market membership.

The Fraser of Allander Institute, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research and the Centre for Economic and Business Research, have all claimed that Brexit will damage Scotland’s economy.

Mr Brown outlined how leaving the Single Market could reduce Scotland GDP by £11 billion per year by 2030, cost the country 80,000 jobs over 10 years and mean a reduction in income of almost £2,000 per person on average.

He also called on the UK Government to explore options for a differentiated outcome, which would permit Scotland to remain inside the European Single Market, should the UK pursue a ‘hard Brexit’.

Mr Brown said:
“Independent research has estimated the cost of leaving Single Market at more than £11 billion annually which could mean Scotland’s public services revenues would be £3.7 billion per year lower than they are now.

“The EU is also the main destination market for Scotland’s international exports, accounting for 42% of trade in 2014. Losing membership of the world’s largest single market would mean forfeiting the right to buy goods and services from other parts of this Union free from import taxes and would also seriously impact on the ability of Scottish companies to export to other EU member nations.

“Research from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research recently estimated that losses in bilateral trade with other EEA countries from leaving the Single Market could be as much as 60% for the service sector and up to 44% for manufacturers, which would be disastrous to our economic prosperity as a nation.

“More than six months on from the EU referendum, it is completely untenable that the UK Government are unable to give even an indicative position on whether it supports remaining in the Single Market.

“The people of Scotland voted to remain within the EU and a ‘hard Brexit’ and would severely damage our economic and social interests.

“That is why I want an assurance from the UK Government that Scotland’s interests will be at the heart of any negotiations on the future of the UK within the EU. Should the rest of the UK leave the Single Market we want to see a differentiated outcome for Scotland, one that permits us to remain inside the European Single Market and protect the jobs and economic benefits it brings.”

Article Source: http://news.gov.scot/news/single-market-membership

Public Services better off by up to £240.6 million in 2017-18

Local Government and local services will have over £240 million more available them next year, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay announced today, as he unveiled a package of increased investment in councils, schools, social care services and the potential for councils to raise additional revenue from the Council Tax.

Outlining the 2017-18 Local Government settlement as part of the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget, Derek Mackay said that the £111 million of additional Council Tax revenues expected to be raised from reform of the upper bands will be available to be spent locally. He announced the Scottish Government will use its own resources to fund £120 million going to schools to close the attainment gap.

The overall package includes total revenue support of £10,252.9 million, including £88 million to maintain the pupil to teacher ratio nationally and secure places for all probationers who require one under the teacher induction scheme.

The Scottish Government will add additional funding and free up councils to raise additional revenue by:

In total this package will provide local government and local service with up to £240.6 million in additional funding and revenue.

Each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities will be required to formally agree to a set of joint commitments with the Scottish Government and in return will receive the full funding package.

Mr Mackay said:

“Today’s budget delivers a strong settlement for local government. The measures I have announced today mean that the total support from the Scottish Government and through local taxation provides an increase in spending power on local government services, not of £59.6 million, but of £240.6 million or 2.3 per cent.

“Local government will receive £120 million from central government to fund our shared ambitions to close the attainment gap.

“In addition we will maintain councils’ share of capital spending with an increase of £150 million compared to 2016-17.

“Councils will keep the full value of the revenue from Council Tax re-banding – every penny raised locally will be spent locally as councils see fit.

“And local authorities will also be free to increase the Council Tax generally by up to 3% next year, generating – if they so choose – a further £70 million.

“Last year, we transferred a quarter of a billion pounds from the NHS to support health and social care partnerships. I can announce today that on top of that transfer, we will provide additional funding of £107 million from the NHS next year.

“This additional funding will deliver the Living Wage for social care workers and protect overall investment in these crucial services.

“This will secure a total of £8bn for health and social care, ensuring that people have access to the right care, at the right time and in the right place.

“This additional investment in social care means that, in the coming year, there will not be an overall reduction in the funding provided by the Scottish Government to support Local Government services.

“This is a settlement which invests in education, invests in social care and invests in local services.”

Article Source: http://news.gov.scot/news/budget-local-government-funding-1

Article From Scot Gov: news.gov.scot/news
Justice and Home Affairs discussed at second meeting of JMC (EN).

Living standards, home affairs and membership of the single market, and the importance of freedom of movement to the Scottish economy were central matters raised by Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell during the second meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (European Negotiations) today in Westminster.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson also attended the JMC (EN) to seek assurances that there will be urgent work done to secure continued co-operation with European partners on key justice and security issues. Mr Matheson told the JMC (EN) it is vital the current direct and positive relationships between police, the crown office and other parts of the Justice system with European institutions is preserved and strengthened.

Earlier in the day, Mr Russell appeared in front of the Scottish Affairs Committee to answer questions on Scotland’s relationship with the EU as the deadline for Article 50 approaches.

Minister for Europe Alastair Allan attended the JMC (Europe) this morning. Dr Allan then met with the UK Government’s Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill to discuss the unreasonably vague status of Scotland’s 181,000 fellow EU nationals. It was the first bilateral meeting a UK Immigration Minister has agreed to have with a Scottish Government Minister for more than five years.

Speaking after the JMC (EN), Mr Russell said:

“This is the second time the JMC (EN) has convened since the end of October, and while the frequency of meetings is welcome, and while we had the opportunity to press the importance of membership of the single market to Scotland, the lack of detail from the UK Government remains deeply concerning.

“It only follows that since the UK Government yesterday announced intensions to publish their Brexit plan, the Scottish Government can also expect to see the promised work plan, which is yet to materialise. Scotland cannot merely be treated as an interested party: Scotland deserves the right – and appropriate time – to contribute meaningfully to a proposition that will impact us all.

“The Justice Secretary Michael Matheson also attended today’s JMC (EN) to discuss the matter of home affairs, justice systems and security. Scotland has had a separate legal system for centuries, and sets a solid precedent that two systems can work side-by-side.

“Mr Matheson was clear that while today’s meeting was a helpful initial discussion, individual measures – such as public safety and security – need to be seen as a single package to best secure the fundamental freedoms the people and businesses of Scotland want to continue to enjoy.”

Funding for Scottish Chambers of Commerce to build international links.

Scottish businesses will forge new global trading alliances thanks to new support from the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce will receive up to £400,000 to deliver permanent trading alliances between Chambers in Scotland and the international network of Chambers, and to support new business-led trade missions.

A trading alliance is an agreement between two Chambers and their members committing to shared business priorities and specific trade plans.

The move was announced by the First Minister ahead of her speech to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Annual Business Address in Glasgow.

The First Minister also confirmed the Chair of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Nora Senior, will be one of the first members of the Scottish Government’s new Board of Trade to encourage new companies to internationalise.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Internationalisation is a key part of our economic strategy and we are stepping up efforts to raise Scotland’s profile and encourage more Scottish businesses to export. Scotland’s ability to benefit from international trade depends hugely on our continued place in the European single market – the biggest of its kind in the world – and we are exploring all avenues to maintain our membership of it.

“At the same time, we are establishing new hubs in London, Dublin, Brussels and Berlin to boost our business profile, while we will double the number of people working for Scottish Development International on mainland Europe. We are also appointing trade envoys and creating a new board of trade to promote exporters overseas and encourage new companies to internationalise. But we can still do more.

“The membership of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, more than 11,000 companies, already has ties to more than 180 countries and so are ideally placed to make new overseas links with businesses and Chambers, which will complement the activities of Scottish Development International.

“The Scottish Government will provide £400,000 to the Chambers to support new business-led trade missions and forge new trading alliances between Chambers here and abroad. That is a boost to the resource already committed by the Chamber network and will contribute to our shared efforts to boost internationalisation.

“I am also delighted to confirm that Nora Senior has agreed to be one of the first members of the board of trade, a good indication of the level of expertise that we will be able to draw on in the years ahead.”

Liz Cameron OBE, Director and Chief Executive, said:

“Today’s announcement marks a significant new step in our long-standing drive to use the power of the international Chambers network to drive more exports from Scotland. The Scottish Government’s very welcome support will help us to capitalise on the excellent work which our Network have been doing to build relationships with their counterparts in Italy, Iceland, the US, Mexico, Iran and many more. We are now ready to turbocharge that effort.

“It has long been our belief that exploiting grass roots business-to-business international connectivity via the unparalleled reach of international Chambers of Commerce has the potential to deliver a revolution in the way our SMEs trade overseas. Combined with the support of Scottish Development International and the influence of Scotland’s international diaspora in key target markets, this will put our network in a position to have real measurable impact in boosting Scotland’s exports – resulting in jobs, growth and wealth.”

Source: http://news.gov.scot/news/scotland-set-for-new-trade-alliances

"Small countries can be equals in a partnership of many."