Plan for future of Grangemouth – (via Scot Gov Website 19/03/25)

‘Summary of Project Willow report published:
Plans to secure a long-term industrial future for Grangemouth have been stepped up as a feasibility study sets out nine options for its future.

The plan – which is backed by £25 million from the Scottish Government and £200 million from the UK Government – will support jobs, unlock investment and drive growth.

The £1.5 million feasibility study – published today by EY – follows the recent decision by Petroineos to decommission the oil refinery.

It has identified credible long-term industrial options for the Grangemouth site and explored how Grangemouth can build on its skilled workforce, local expertise and long heritage as a fuel leader in Scotland to forge a new path in low carbon energy production.’

READ FULL ARTICLE at: https://www.gov.scot/news/plan-for-future-of-grangemouth/

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The 2025-26 Scottish Budget has been approved by Parliament, including £21.7 billion for health & social care and more than £15 billion for local councils, alongside social security measures supporting an estimated two million people.

Scot Gov Website Post:

The Budget invests:

£21.7 billion in health and social care services, including almost £200 million to cut waiting times and help reduce delayed discharge
£6.9 billion in social security, expected to support around two million people in 2025‑26
£4.9 billion in climate-positive investment
more than £7 billion for infrastructure
more than £2 billion for colleges, universities and the wider skills system
an additional £25 million to support the Grangemouth Industrial Cluster, taking total investment to almost £90 million

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said:

“I am pleased that Parliament has approved the Scottish Government’s Budget – confirming plans to invest in public services, lift children out of poverty, act in the face of the climate emergency and support jobs and economic growth.

“This is a Budget by Scotland for Scotland. It includes record NHS investment, social security spending to put money in the pockets of low income families and action to effectively scrap the two-child benefit cap next year. We are delivering a universal winter heating payment for the elderly, providing record funding for local government and increasing investment in affordable housing.

“This Budget has been developed through effective engagement and negotiation across Parliament to build broad support. It is through this compromise that we are delivering spending plans that will most effectively strengthen services and support Scotland’s communities.”

FULL ARTICLE LINK: https://www.gov.scot/news/budget-bill-passed/

MORE INFORMATION

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New First Minister of Scotland John Swinney has selected his first Cabinet of Ministers.

(Following Article from gov.scot website)

First Minister John Swinney has announced a new Scottish Cabinet to help drive real and urgent progress in eradicating child poverty, driving economic growth, and tackling the climate emergency. ‘

The Cabinet of eleven, with a majority of women, is as follows:

• Kate Forbes, the youngest-ever Deputy First Minister, will take on the Economy portfolio and responsibility for Gaelic
• Shona Robison remains in Cabinet with responsibility for Finance and Local Government
• Jenny Gilruth remains Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
• Angela Constance remains Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs
• Màiri McAllan remains in Cabinet with responsibility for Net Zero and Energy
• Fiona Hyslop remains Cabinet Secretary for Transport
• Neil Gray remains Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
• Shirley-Anne Somerville remains Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice
• Angus Robertson remains Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Mairi Gougeon remains Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

The First Minister said:

“Ahead of my appointment as First Minister, I committed to working collaboratively across the Parliament to address the pressing issues facing the people of Scotland.

“With that in mind, I have selected a Cabinet team that blends experience and energy, with a strong focus on the priorities my Government will pursue – eradicating child poverty, driving economic growth, meeting climate obligations and investing in our vital public services.

“My overriding priority will be to work to eradicate child poverty in Scotland, an issue on which real progress has been made through measures such as the Scottish Child Payment. The Government I lead will maximise every lever at our disposal to tackle the scourge of poverty in our country.

“A strong economy supports the delivery of services on which people depend – health, education, housing, and transport – and so each of these areas are aligned to distinct roles in my Cabinet, with a focus on ensuring people see their lives improve as a result of the actions of their Scottish Government.

“I believe that Scotland’s future is best served as an independent country – but I recognise more people need to be convinced of that before independence can be achieved. My Cabinet will also focus efforts on reaching out to those who remain unconvinced, with respect and courtesy, to ensure that the people of Scotland have the democratic right to choose their own future.”

Background

Cabinet and Ministers – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The new Scottish Cabinet has been selected by the First Minister.

Find out more at https://t.co/CVQI2fhT7s pic.twitter.com/zYoA641Fay

— Scottish Government (@scotgov) May 8, 2024

@JohnSwinney has been sworn in as First Minister of Scotland at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Speaking afterwards, the First Minister said: “I will give everything I have to build the best future for our country.” pic.twitter.com/kVjOSz5vZy

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) May 8, 2024

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New First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf has announced the members of the Scottish Governement Ministerial Team.

(Following Article from gov.scot website)

First Minister Humza Yousaf has unveiled his Cabinet team with five members aged under 40 and, for the first time ever, a majority of women.

In a Cabinet of ten that sees the Economy established as a portfolio in its own right:

• Shona Robison, the new Deputy First Minister, will take on the Finance portfolio, including responsibility for the Scottish Budget
• Michael Matheson becomes the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care
• Jenny Gilruth joins Cabinet for the first time as Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
• Màiri McAllan joins Cabinet for the first time as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition
• Neil Gray joins Cabinet for the first time as Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy
• Mairi Gougeon remains Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
• Angus Robertson remains Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Shirley-Anne Somerville becomes Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice
• Angela Constance returns to Cabinet as the new Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs

Meet the new Scottish Cabinet Secretaries⬇️

ℹ️ Those new to the Cabinet will be formally appointed with agreement of @ScotParl and approval by His Majesty The King on Thursday 30 March.

Find out more at https://t.co/P9a7Xy0VBF pic.twitter.com/oVkJljRSwg

— Scottish Government (@scotgov) March 29, 2023

Parliament will be asked to approve the new Ministerial appointments on Thursday.

Commenting, Humza Yousaf said:

“The Cabinet team I have unveiled reflects the priorities that we will pursue as a government – including tackling child poverty, improving public services and building a fairer, greener economy.

“Ahead of my appointment as First Minister, I have committed myself to a radical, ambitious and progressive policy agenda for Scotland – and I know that this team is the right one to deliver it.

“I want to thank those Ministers departing government for their leadership over the last few years, through many storms not of our making – the economic damage caused by Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, austerity and the cost of living crisis. Those Ministers – led so ably by Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney – leave a strong legacy for the new team to build on.

“I have made clear my belief Scotland’s government should look as much as possible like the people we represent. As well as being the first ever First Minister from a minority ethnic background, I am pleased that a record number of women have agreed to serve, as well as a significant blend of younger and more experienced members. That said, every single appointment has been made on merit.

“Every single person in this government is clear that it is for the people of Scotland to determine their constitutional future – no one else – and we will work to ensure that they are given that right. As we make the case for Scottish independence, we will continue to govern well and demonstrate to the people of Scotland the benefits of decisions about their lives being taken here in Scotland.

“Subject to Parliament’s approval, the new Ministerial team is ready to get to work delivering for the people of Scotland.”

Background

Cabinet and Ministers – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Individuals who are newly appointed to Cabinet will be Cabinet Secretaries-designate until their appointment is formally agreed to by Parliament and approved by His Majesty King Charles III.

Article Source: https://www.gov.scot/news/new-cabinet-unveiled/

The new Scottish Cabinet has been selected by the First Minister.

Find out more at https://t.co/RsG35TvCh8 pic.twitter.com/2nG9FDMmSW

— Scottish Government (@scotgov) March 29, 2023

Cabinet of 10 will be supported by 18 Junior Ministers.

First Minister Humza Yousaf has completed the appointment of his ministerial team. Consisting of 10 Cabinet Secretaries, including the First Minister, the Scottish Cabinet will be supported by 18 Junior Ministers.

First Minister Humza Yousaf

Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy Elena Whitham

Minister for Independence Jamie Hepburn

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison

Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance Tom Arthur

Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning Joe FitzPatrick

Minister for Parliamentary Business George Adam

Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care Michael Matheson

Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto

Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth

Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise Natalie Don

Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans Graeme Dey

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition Màiri McAllan

Minister for Transport Kevin Stewart

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights (who will also work alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice) Patrick Harvie

Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Neil Gray

Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Richard Lochhead

Minister for Energy Gillian Martin

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity (who will also work alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition) Lorna Slater

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson

Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development Christina McKelvie

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville

Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees Emma Roddick

Minister for Housing Paul McLennan

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance

Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown

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This is a news article from The Scottish Governement Website released on 15th December 2022

Strengthening the social contract with Scotland’s people.

This year’s #ScotBudget aims to deliver on the priorities that matter most to the people of Scotland.

Watch Deputy First Minister @JohnSwinney explain our priorities for the coming year ⬇️

Find out more at https://t.co/Xf769rTz4L pic.twitter.com/caZnKem9Ip

— Scottish Government (@scotgov) December 16, 2022

Deputy First Minister John Swinney laid out “a different, more progressive path for Scotland” as he presented the Scottish Budget 2023-24.

He promised to strengthen the social contract with the people of Scotland and pledged to do everything possible to shield families from the welfare cuts and austerity policies of the UK Government.

Supporting sustainable public services through the cost of living crisis is a priority – including more than £13.7 billion for NHS boards and £2 billion to establish and improve primary healthcare services in communities, as well as £1.7 billion for social care and integration, paving the way for the National Care Service. This record investment goes well beyond any previous commitment to pass on all consequentials to health and social care, and delivers a £1 billion uplift to the health budget.

Having already increased the unique Scottish Child Payment to £25 per week as part of a drive to eradicate child poverty, the Budget invests £428 million to uprate all other devolved benefits in April 2023 by September’s Consumer Price Index inflation level of 10.1%. It commits £20 million to extend the Fuel Insecurity Fund to provide a lifeline for households, including the most vulnerable, against rising energy prices.

This year’s budget aims to deliver on the priorities which matter most to the people of Scotland.

Watch below to learn about our key aims for the coming year ⬇️

Find out more at https://t.co/Xf769rTz4L pic.twitter.com/tSllLZ2lPA

— Scottish Government (@scotgov) December 16, 2022

Scotland’s transition to net zero is boosted with increased investment to over £366 million in delivering the Heat in Buildings Strategy in 2023-24. This will help tackle fuel poverty as part of a £1.8 billion commitment over this Parliament to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise more than a million Scottish homes by 2030.

The Budget commits £50 million to the Just Transition Fund for the North East and Moray – more than double the 2022-23 allocation – to diversify the regional economy away from carbon-intensive industries and capitalise on the opportunities presented by new, green industries.

Strengthened by the agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party, the 2023-24 Scottish Budget also includes:

around £1 billion investment in high quality early learning and childcare provision, with a further £22 million invested in holiday food provision and expanding support for school-age childcare

£50 million for the Whole Family Wellbeing programme for preventative co-ordinated family support and a further £30 million to keep The Promise to care experienced children and young people

£80 million capital funding to support the expansion of free school meals

going beyond existing commitments with more than £550 million additional funding to Local Government

£165 million additional funding for frontline justice services and to continue with transformational reforms

a £46 million increase in resource funding to universities and colleges to ensure a highly qualified and highly skilled workforce for Scotland

Mr Swinney said:

“The Scottish Government, like governments all over the world, is faced with a difficult set of choices. Through this Budget we are facing up to our responsibilities while being honest with the people of Scotland about the challenges which lie ahead.

“To govern is to choose and the Scottish Government has made its choice.

“Within the powers available to us, we will choose a different path. A path which sees the Scottish Government commit substantial resources to protect the most vulnerable people of Scotland from the impact of decisions and policies made by the UK Government. We choose to stand firmly behind the Scottish people, investing in our public services and doing everything possible to ensure that no one is left behind.

“This Budget strengthens the social contract between the Scottish Government and every citizen of Scotland for the wider benefit of society. This social contract means that people in Scotland continue to enjoy many benefits not available throughout the UK – including free prescriptions, free access to higher education and the Scottish Child Payment. 

“Because we know this progressive model works, we choose the path where people are asked to pay their fair share, in the knowledge that in so doing they help to create the fairer society in which we all want to live.”

VIEW MORE ON SCOT GOVT WEBSITE
https://www.gov.scot/budget/

‘Ambitious plans for a more dynamic and fairer economy’

Proposals to build a dynamic and socially just economy will be at the centre of government plans for a newly independent Scotland, according to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Speaking ahead of the launch of a new prospectus paper detailing plans for the economy of an independent Scotland, the First Minister said independence would help Scotland become a fairer, wealthier and greener country.

Building on the evidence published in the first of the Building a New Scotland series, Independence in the modern world, the latest paper will set out how the powers of independence, combined with Scotland’s abundant economic strengths and resources, can deliver a stronger economy and fairer society.

The paper is also expected to propose a Building a New Scotland Fund. With infrastructure investment of up to £20 billion from remaining oil revenues and responsible borrowing, the new Fund will accelerate the transition to net zero, build resilient communities, and help kick-start the sustainable economic growth so important for the newly independent nation.

The paper will also address the issues of currency, fiscal sustainability, and trade.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Scotland has an abundance of skilled people, innovative businesses, and natural resources. We have everything it takes to be just as successful as comparable independent European countries. Our analysis from the first paper in the Building a New Scotland series shows that a dynamic economy and social justice go hand in hand. Each makes the other stronger.

“Scotland’s economy is one of the best performing in the UK – however the UK economy, particularly post-Brexit, is now lagging behind many EU and international comparators. The UK economic model is demonstrably failing and increasingly holding Scotland back. Independence is now essential to build an economy that works for everyone. The paper we are publishing today will help people make a clear, informed choice about independence and how we can forge a path towards becoming a fairer, greener, wealthier country.”

Above Info reproduced via: https://www.gov.scot/news/ambitious-plans-for-a-more-dynamic-and-fairer-economy-1/

The Scottish Government is proposing that an independence referendum is held on 19 October 2023.

It is vital that the people of Scotland have the information they need to make an informed choice about Scotland’s future before a referendum takes place.

A series of papers, titled ‘Building a New Scotland’, together form a prospectus for an independent Scotland.

SOURCE LINKS:

https://www.gov.scot/newscotland/