Category: Scottish Politics

Source: BBC NEWS BBC REPORT: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39422747 Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a second referendum on independence for Scotland has been formally backed by the Scottish Parliament. MSPs voted by 69 to 59 in favour of seeking permission for a referendum before the UK leaves the EU. Ms Sturgeon says the move is needed to allow Scotland to decide what path to follow in the wake of the Brexit vote.

Below is a speech given by SNP Leader and First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon to the David Hume Institute. I value – as I am sure all the party leaders do – the opportunity to discuss with you some of the key issues facing Scotland for the future. When I first spoke here as SNP leader in 2015, it was in the aftermath of the independence referendum. Last year, it was during the run-up to the Scottish parliamentary elections and the EU referendum. And so I hoped – as…

Scottish Parliament opposes beginning of process to withdraw from EU. (07/02/17) The Scottish Parliament has today agreed that the UK Government’s European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill should not proceed. Welcoming the vote, Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell said the Parliament’s view should now be listened to. Speaking following the debate, Mr Russell said: “Scotland’s national Parliament has today sent a clear message to the rest of the UK and Europe – we oppose a catastrophic hard Brexit that dumps Scotland outside of the…

Membership of new Trade Board confirmed Date: 25/01/17 Scotland’s international exports rose from £27.7 billion in 2014 to £28.7 billion in 2015. The USA continues to be Scotland’s top trading partner outside of the EU. Within the EU, the Netherlands was again the largest market. The latest statistics show that exports to countries within the European Union were estimated as £12.3 billion, an increase of £520 million on the previous year driven by an increase in the export of petroleum and chemical products. Exports to the rest of the UK…

New hospitals and health centres due to open in 2017-18 Nearly £500 million of new healthcare facilities, including two new hospital buildings, are expected to open to patients in 2017-18. Funded through Scottish Government investment, these new NHS and local council facilities will provide patients across Scotland with treatment in purpose-built, 21st century settings. The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will, tomorrow, visit the site of the new £212 million Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary to see progress with the project – as part of a series of engagements with a…

(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…

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…

Scotland-Ireland relationship to strengthen in years ahead. Scotland’s response to the vote to leave the EU will define the country for generations to come, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the upper house of the Irish Parliament today. She made the remarks during a speech to the Seanad, marking the end of a two-day visit to Ireland to further political, economic and cultural links between Scotland and Ireland. She said that the shared history between Scotland and Ireland had created inextricable links and a bond of mutual co-operation that a consequence…

By Alex Aitchison SNP The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) have confirmed that data published last week on MP expenses was incorrect. The incorrect figures, which under-reported the expenses of Scottish Labour and Lib Dem MPs in 2014/15, were used by Scottish Labour to launch an attack on SNP MPs. Here are the facts. SNP MPs are costing less than their predecessors – by over £1 million IPSA issued a written acknowledgement and apology to the SNP, and new figures published on their website confirm that in 2015/16 SNP MPs…