SNP Growth Commission (By Alex Aitchison)

In 2014, Scotland voted to remain in a UK that was part of the European Union.

However, the result of the June 2016 referendum raises the prospect of Scotland being taken out of the EU against the stated will of the Scottish electorate.

The resultant economic and social upheaval and damage to our international relationships is a material risk to the economy and the wellbeing of our citizens.

Independence is one of the options open to the people of Scotland to choose a different course – to protect Scotland’s place in the EU and, in an uncertain environment, gain more control over the decisions that will shape our economy and society.

The context of a second independence referendum would be very different from that of 2014 and therefore it is important to look afresh at the challenges and opportunities.

What remains constant is the desire of many for independence to be a route to a fairer and more socially just Scotland. A strong and stable economy is essential to achieving that.

To address that desire and consider the steps an independent Scotland would require to take to secure a strong, stable and inclusive economy, a Growth Commission is being established by the SNP Leader.

The Commission will be chaired by former MSP, Andrew Wilson. Its membership includes senior figures from business, economics, politics and academia and it will draw, where appropriate, on externally commissioned research and expertise.

The work of the Commission is primarily intended to inform SNP policy but will seek to draw on views from across the political spectrum. Members of the Commission are taking part in a personal capacity and membership of the Commission does not indicate support or membership of the SNP. An initial report will be submitted to the SNP Leader by the end of 2016.

COMMISSION REMIT

The Commission will assess the projections for Scotland’s economy and public finances, consider the implications for our economy and finances of different potential governance scenarios, and make recommendations for policy on:

Measures to boost economic growth and improve Scotland’s public finances – both now in the aftermath of the EU referendum and in the context of independence;
The potential for and best use of savings from UK programmes in the event of independence, such as Trident;
The range of transitional cost and benefits associated with independence and arrangements for dealing with future revenue windfalls, including future North Sea Revenues.
In addition, the Commission will take account of the recommendations of the 2013 Fiscal Commission reports, and the outcome of the EU referendum, and consider the most appropriate monetary policy arrangements to underpin a programme for sustainable growth in an independent Scotland.

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://www.snp.org/snp_growth_commission

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff, up to the most recent quarter ending June 2016.

The Scottish Government Workforce Information June 2016 statistics show that:

•At the end of June 2016, there were 5,182 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) directly employed staff, a small increase from last year’s figure of 4,999 at the end June 2015. The percentage of directly employed staff in permanent (96%) and temporary (4%) categories changed very slightly over the year (95%, 5% June 2015).

•There was a 4% increase in the number of contingent (non-directly employed) workers, from 1,008 at the end of June 2015, to 1,049 at the end of June 2016, an increase of 41 workers.

•The staff sickness level was 7.3 Average Working Days Lost (AWDL) per staff year in the year period ending June 2016 (3.2 per cent of working days were lost). This is a slight increase of 0.1 working days from the same period last year (7.2 AWDL)

•At the end of June 2016, just over half of the workforce were female (51.0%, compared to 49.0% male). The proportion of female staff has increased by 0.8 percentage points from 50.2% t the end of June 2015.

•The majority of staff were aged 30-39 (25.9%), 40-49 (30.1%), and 50-59 (26.9%) at the end of June 2016. In contrast, 11.5% were aged 16-29, and 5.7% were aged 60 or over.

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Scottish-Government-Workforce-Statistics-June-2016-2af4.aspx

First Minister announces funding for 100 new jobs.

Investment of up to £200m to support hundreds of jobs in the rural economy was welcomed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today.

She visited Ross-Shire Engineering in Muir of Ord, who announced they will use the funding to create new jobs and secure existing positions.

The company has secured potential funding of up to £200m across the next five years from Scottish Water’s Capital and Operational Delivery framework projects to supply equipment to ensure high quality drinking water in many parts of Scotland.

This investment has already resulted in over 100 new jobs this year alone and provided additional job security to the existing 273 staff. The company has also expanded its apprenticeship programme, and will more than double the number of vacancies for apprentices and graduates over the next five years.

The announcement came as the First Minister made a series of visits in the Highlands to see how innovation and investment is strengthening Scotland’s rural economy.

She also visited Nigg Energy Park to unveil the first turbine built for the world’s largest-planned wave energy park.

The First Minister said: “Ensuring a strong rural economy is crucial to Scotland’s success.

“This funding Ross-Shire Engineering has secured provides a hugely welcome boost in providing skilled jobs and investment across the Highlands, as well as providing vital utility services to Scotland’s homes and businesses.

“In particular, I am delighted they will be investing in their already strong apprenticeship job programme, providing vital training and employment to young people living in the Highlands in a competitive jobs market.

“Last week when I set out my Programme for Government I promised to protect Scotland’s interests, particularly our economic interests, in the wake of the EU referendum.

“Driving sustainable economic growth is at the heart of that, and I am committed to ensuring this Government does all it can to ensure Scotland’s rural economy remains prosperous for future generations.”

On her visit to Nigg Energy Park to unveil the world’s first ever large-scale tidal stream farm, the First Minister said:

“I am incredibly proud of Scotland’s role in leading the way in tackling climate change and investment in marine renewables is a hugely important part of this.

“MeyGen is set to invigorate the marine renewables industry in Scotland and provide vital jobs for a skilled workforce, retaining valuable offshore expertise here in Scotland that would otherwise be lost overseas. Highly skilled operation and maintenance jobs will also need to be carried out locally, providing strong local employment opportunity for rural areas.

“There is no doubt that the eyes of the world are on this project which is why the Scottish Government’s investment is so crucially important.

“But it is also absolutely vital that the UK Government sticks to its word in honouring the commitment they made to their subsidy programme and tackle the current uncertainty that exists before they cause irreparable damage to the long term prospects for the sector.”

Global Energy Group Chairman Roy MacGregor, who is the major shareholder of the company, said:

“We are delighted the First Minister has taken the time to visit Ross shire Engineering today.

“Their growth and great progress is down to the innovation and hard work of their workforce.

“Establishing new Framework Agreements with Scottish Water further emphasises their ability in developing new technology to meet the increasing demands and standards within this industry.

“With the continuing dedication and hard work of the Ross shire Engineering workforce, I feel the company will grow even further and in doing so, create further quality jobs, apprenticeship and graduate opportunities for people in the Highlands.”

Douglas Millican, Chief Executive of Scottish Water said: “I am delighted that the work we have given Ross-shire Engineering has enabled them to create these jobs and apprenticeships.

“Although our priority is to provide clear, fresh water to our customers and safely return waste water to the environment we also seek to support Scottish companies and Scottish jobs whenever we can. The success of Ross-shire engineering is a great example of the role Scottish Water and its partners can play in supporting Scotland’s economic growth”.

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/-200-million-investment-for-rural-economy-2ace.aspx

Turbines for world’s first large-scale tidal energy farm ready.

Scotland will be home to the world’s first ever large-scale tidal stream farm as part of a drive to develop Scotland’s marine renewables industry, creating jobs and investment.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will visit the MeyGen project, owned by Atlantis Resources, to see the first turbines in the planned tidal stream array during a trip to the Highlands today (Monday, 12 September).

The first phase of the project, developed thanks to £23m Scottish Government funding, is expected to further develop the marine renewables industry and open up vital skilled job opportunities for those who are moving from the oil and gas sector.

Atlantis’ MeyGen and Sound of Islay projects are expected to generate around £275m for Scotland’s economy.

Scotland is recognised as being a world leader in tidal energy innovation and deployment and has been at the forefront of efforts to tackle climate change.

During her visit to Nigg Energy Park, the First Minister will also call on the UK Government to end uncertainty around subsidies for wave and tidal stream projects which is putting the marine sector at risk.

The First Minister said:

“I am incredibly proud of Scotland’s role in leading the way in tackling climate change and investment in marine renewables is a hugely important part of this.

“MeyGen is set to invigorate the marine renewables industry in Scotland and provide vital jobs for a skilled workforce, retaining valuable offshore expertise here in Scotland that would otherwise be lost overseas. Highly skilled operation and maintenance jobs will also need to be carried out locally, providing strong local employment opportunity for rural areas.

“There is no doubt that the eyes of the world are on this project which is why the Scottish Government’s investment is so crucially important.

“But it is absolutely vital that the UK Government honours its earlier commitment to provide a ring-fenced allocation for marine energy in its renewables support scheme. They must tackle the current uncertainty that exists before they cause irreparable damage to the long term prospects for the sector.”

Tim Cornelius, Chief Executive of Atlantis Resources, said:

“Today marks a historic milestone not just for Atlantis and our project partners, but for the entire global tidal power industry. It gives me enormous pride to have reached this juncture after 10 years of tireless work, preparation and planning by everyone associated with this project. This is the day the tidal power industry announced itself as the most exciting new asset class of renewable, sustainable generation in the UK’s future energy mix. This is an industry that is creating jobs and Scotland is the undisputed world leader of this high growth sector.”

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Scotland-riding-the-wave-of-tidal-innovation-2aaf.aspx

Brexit: securing the best possible deal for Scotland (By Michael Russell)

Scotland has benefited from membership of the European Union for decades, and I believe – as I have for all my political life – that EU membership was and remains the best option for Scotland. Now, however, that membership and those benefits are under direct and severe threat as a result of a situation not of our making, and not supported by Scottish voters. As a nation, working with others, we must find the right way to counter that threat and secure the best possible deal in the coming negotiations both in Europe and within these islands.

The First Minister has been clear that we will explore all options to protect Scotland’s vital interests. An independence referendum must be included in those options but it is not our starting point.

The First Minister set out during the summer what those vital interest are – democracy, economic prosperity (which is, we believe, largely contingent on continued membership of the single market), social protection, solidarity, and influence. They are not just our starting point for discussion – they must underpin any agreement that emerges.

In my new post, as Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, my first task has been to press the UK Government for urgent clarification on how they are going to deliver on the Prime Minister’s commitment to full involvement for Scotland in the process around Article 50 and negotiations with the EU. Not only did she assure the First Minister of that commitment when they met in July, but just last weekend she said in an interview that Scotland would be “fully involved’ and “ fully engaged”. That has to be the case, and that imperative was echoed on Friday by the First Minister of Wales who said that “Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast must be at the negotiating table.”

We disagree fundamentally with the decision to leave the EU – and Scotland did not vote to leave. But we have an interest not just in making that point but also in trying to get the UK into the most sensible and beneficial position we can. That needs us to be at the table. It needs the discussions to start now.

In those discussions one of the first priorities must be to protect Scotland’s place in the single market, which is a structure for fair and equal trade that benefits all sectors of the Scottish economy. It is much more than simply a place to buy and sell, and without it our workers would be less well protected and our companies far less able to export and set up across the continent. Free movement of labour is at the heart of the single market and Scotland is not full up – we benefit from that free movement and of course many Scots continue to use it to live and work in Europe.

Both the Remain campaign and the Leave campaign made the case, pre-referendum, that voting to leave the EU did not automatically mean exiting the single market. They had to do that of course, because it is clear that absence from the single market, or even limited involvement would inflict deep and long term damage to our economy and society.

But I will be doing more than talking. I will be listening to communities and sectoral bodies across the country. I want to find out how exiting the EU will affect them. Of course, some people believe it could be beneficial and I will listen to them too. Both sides of the argument are important and both will need to produce the evidence that proves those cases. Then we can all weigh it carefully and embed the views of Scotland into our negotiating position and activities. We must also try and ensure they form part of the overall UK strategy as well.

Lots of groups and people have been in touch with me and other Scottish Government Ministers already. They have been keen to stress the need to support our world class research in our world class universities. They have argued strongly for employment rights. They have outlined the way in which the financial sector in Edinburgh needs direct European access. They have drawn attention to the environmental progress that has been secured by European collaboration and they have demonstrated how much they depend on European resources to build infrastructure, run profitable farms, expand food and drink industries and invest in the countryside.

This all adds up to something more than just pounds and pence. Being part of Europe is about our values and our principles. It is about trying to secure an ever improving society that respects human rights, protects basic freedoms, provides lots of opportunity, and is ambitious for the planet and the place in which we live.

Next week I will open the first in a series of parliamentary debates on the implications of Brexit. Then, in the coming weeks, the Parliament will hold further debates that look in detail at the impact of Brexit on the key areas of the economy, rural affairs, education and the environment. These debates will give every MSP the opportunity to have their say on the issues the Scottish Government should be prioritising as our discussions with the UK government develop. I will also be meeting with the party leaders to hear their views and discuss their hopes and fears for the future.

None of them wanted to be in the position in which we all now find ourselves. But we are in that position and we must work together to get the very best we can from it. That is the job I have been tasked with, working to support the First Minister as she leads Scotland forward. It will not be easy, but it must be done – for Scotland’s sake.

Michael Russell MSP is the Scottish Government’s Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe.

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://www.snp.org/brexit_deal_scotland

Nicola Sturgeon announced the National Survey below, on 02/09/16.

SNP Statement: “Nicola Sturgeon launched the first phase in our new independence initiative – the biggest listening exercise in our party’s history, which will reach out to 2 million people in Scotland before St Andrew’s Day.

Members of the public can take part in The National Survey to give their views on Europe, Brexit, and independence, and set out concerns and questions they have.”
Source: http://www.snp.org/nicola_sturgeon_s_speech_getting_on_with_the_job

Take part in the biggest ever political survey about Scotland’s Future www.survey2016.scot

Take part in the biggest ever political survey about Scotland’s Future https://t.co/Vojz45Ta0R pic.twitter.com/i6tpE48UYm

— ScottishPoliticsNews (@ScoPoliticsNews) 7 September 2016

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE:

http://www.survey2016.scot/