Latest news with #AngusRobertson
The National
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Scottish Government welcomes BBC update after Traitors row
It comes after a row erupted around The Traitors over the lack of Scottish staff working on the show despite being it filmed in the Highlands. Earlier this year, Peter Strachan, who sits on the board of trade body Directors UK, accused the BBC of 'depriving' Scots of opportunities as his analysis of the show's off-screen employees claimed the BBC was failing to comply with Ofcom's regulations. He alleged that 81% of The Traitors season three production team was based in England and that only 7% of off-screen talent was used in series one and 6% in series two. READ MORE: Counter-protesters gather against far-right group in Glasgow city centre Strachan said that just 4% of the 'above the line roles' at Studio Lambert-produced The Traitor's were filled by staff based in Scotland – and by removing a Glasgow-based executive producer it would be 0%. Regulator Ofcom sets out-of-London criteria for production companies which are supposed to encourage firms to make more programmes, spend more money and employ greater numbers of staff outside of the English capital. The regulations require producers to meet two of three criteria to qualify as out-of-London. These are having a 'substantive base' in the region, investing 70% of production spend and having at least 50% of the off-screen talent outside London. On Friday, the BBC published an update where it said it intended to go "well beyond the existing 'qualifying criteria'" and have "at least 70%" of its production budget based locally and/or draw "significantly" on local programme-makers and crew to produce shows. The corporation's director of nations, Rhodri Talfan Davies, said: "In future, we will not typically commission a new network production regionally unless we are confident it will invest at least 70% of its production budget locally and/or draw significantly on local programme-makers and crew to produce the show. "We will work closely with our partners in the independent sector to make sure we step through this approach carefully, recognising that some shows have very specific editorial, talent or production requirements. "We will publish our progress in delivering this commitment each year." READ MORE: Donald Trump's calls for North Sea drilling no 'surprise', John Swinney says Talfan Davies added that while results will be published annually, "delivering this change will take a little time", as he said TV commissioning cycles can take as long as three years. Angus Robertson (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Culture Secretary Angus Robertson, who previously met with the BBC over concerns around the number of Scottish crew working on the show, welcomed the update. He said: "Welcome rethink about BBC commissioning after concerns and criticism in Scotland. Change in approach will hopefully influence other public service broadcasters, as well as Ofcom, and help Scottish screen sector grow to £1bn annual industry. "I look forward to meeting with the BBC to understand how quickly the improvements to commissioning in Scotland will happen. The [Scottish Government is committed to support the Scottish screen sector reach its full potential, with £1bn GVA target by end of 2030/31."
The Herald Scotland
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Forget Scotland in Europe. It is the UK which deals with Brussels now
To be clear from the outset, that may not be a consequence of political machination. It may simply be inevitable, a factor of political reality. It may even provide welcome clarity. That has not forestalled SNP protests. In the Holyrood chamber, Angus Robertson noted that the EU deal had been reached 'without the explicit agreement' of the devolved Scottish Government. That was, he said, 'an affront to devolution'. Responding, Labour's Neil Bibby said the External Affairs Minister was 'miserable, opportunistic and inconsistent.' For the Tories, Tim Eagle said the SNP would take Scotland back into the Common Fisheries Policy – an outcome he called a 'horror show'. Read more by Brian Taylor Mr Robertson's objection was that fisheries, as a topic, is devolved to Holyrood. Yet it had featured in the EU deal without any consultation with the Scottish Government. He listed the meetings, cancelled by Whitehall, when the topic could have been raised. UK Government sources say this is limp nonsense. They say the Scottish Government was consulted in generic terms, including at a meeting just prior to the talks, while conceding that there was no specific involvement in the negotiations, not least because the fisheries issue was concluded around midnight on the eve of the London summit. They say the Scottish Government has 'tied itself in knots' over the issue, contriving to end up on the same side as Nigel Farage. To examine this issue, we need to delve back into history – and catch the scent of that devolutionary fudge. As I recall, the aroma first arose in the run-up to the creation of the Scottish Parliament. Importance was attached to a role for the devolved legislature in the European Union. (The UK was, of course, still a member at that point.) The question was how to balance those devolved aspirations with the reality that it was the United Kingdom which was the EU member state. It was the UK which had an audience in Brussels. The result? Fudge. The 1997 White Paper which led to devolution stated that relations with Europe were 'the responsibility of the United Kingdom Parliament and Government'. There is no real role for the Scottish Government in Westminster's dealings with the EU (Image: free) However it added that 'the Scottish Parliament and Executive will have an important role' in areas where EU business affected devolved areas. There were encouraging words about the involvement of Edinburgh. There was talk of the 'spirit of collaboration'. But there was also emphasis upon the need for a common UK position. Upon ultimate UK sovereignty. In the early years of devolution, there was the Sewel Convention: that the UK would not normally legislate in devolved matters without Edinburgh consent. But that eroded over time – and the UK Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that the Convention was just that. A convention, potentially significant but with no justiciable force. Post Brexit, EU laws were repatriated to the UK. Scottish Ministers complained that this was done without the agreement of the Scottish Parliament. Which brings us to today. Fisheries are still devolved. But, arising from the 1998 Scotland Act, relations with the EU are reserved to the UK. (There was no room for fudge in statute.) The 1997 White Paper vaunted UK clout as an EU member state. The UK later left the EU. Politically contentious – but irrelevant to power. It is sovereignty which counts. You may say that EU access to UK (primarily Scottish) fishing waters was sensibly traded for other gains – including speedier market access for salmon and other seafood from our shores. You may say that it was a treacherous sell-out. Either way, it is clear that the lingering Sewel concept is now utterly consigned to history. It is clear that continuing relations with the EU – from outwith the EU – are, in practice, a matter for the UK Government. There will still be talk, as there was in that 1997 White Paper, of consulting and involving Holyrood. But, in the final analysis, little remains of the White Paper concept of collaborative endeavour. Read more Again, to be clear, that applies regardless of the content of the deal. For example, Angus Robertson only launched his attack on the UK Government – after welcoming aspects of the London agreement, other than fisheries. If anything, there is a sharper dilemma for the devolved government in Wales. Led by Labour's Eluned Morgan. Critics there also seized upon the constitutional question, saying that she had allowed the Senedd to be entirely sidelined. Of necessity, Baroness Morgan's response featured caveats. She welcomed the details of the deal, praising the efforts of her party colleague, the Prime Minister. She said it would bring Wales 'more opportunity for jobs and growth'. But she noted, obliquely, that she would have 'liked more discussion' between the Welsh and UK governments over the issue of fishing. Not going to happen, in practice. We are back to statute and sovereignty. Not White Paper fudge. External relations, including with the EU, rest with the UK. Which, to repeat, offers clarity. John Swinney said this week that the only way to protect Scottish fishing now lay with independence. Critics say that rejoining the CFP would involve further concessions. There is, then, a fundamental dispute. Independence versus the Union. Equally, though, there is practical co-operation within the devolved structure. Only this week, the Scottish Secretary Ian Murray announced increasing borrowing powers for Holyrood. He published a report setting out the efforts of UK Departments, such as HMRC and the DWP, to ease devolved tax and benefits functions. In return, the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations work closely and daily with Whitehall, in the common public interest. A straightforward constitutional choice, then. Ian Murray says 'working collaboratively with the Scottish Government' is a key part of the Starmer plan for change. John Swinney says he will govern sensibly and consensually within devolved powers – but invites us to consider how much more could be achieved under independence. All clear? Brian Taylor is a former political editor for BBC Scotland and a columnist for The Herald. He cherishes his family, the theatre - and Dundee United FC
The National
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Government: Publishing Israel meeting details ‘antisemitic'
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson was previously forced to apologise after he held secret talks with Israel's deputy ambassador to the UK, Daniela Grudsky. He faced fierce criticism from SNP MPs, who have attacked the UK Government for supporting Israel during its deadly assault on Palestine, which has to date killed more than 53,000 people, mostly women and children. Now, The Ferret have revealed that the Scottish Government argued that it would be 'antisemitic' to release further logistical information about the meeting. READ MORE: Scottish Government 'must immediately freeze' all Israel-linked arms firm funding It comes after the investigative outlet submitted a freedom of information (FOI) request asking for correspondence about the meeting. With officials refusing to disclose the information, The Ferret appealed to the information commissioner David Hamilton. Hamilton said that 'the withheld information is mostly concerning the logistical arrangements' of the meeting and that 'the majority of information withheld by the [Scottish Government has no inherent sensitivity'. (Image: Jane Barlow) He has since ordered it be released within six weeks, saying the Scottish Government had breached transparency laws 'by failing to identify, locate, retrieve and properly consider all of the information that fell within scope of the request and incorrectly withheld information'. Hamilton added in a report: 'They argued that ignoring Israel's wishes in circumstances where other countries' wishes have been respected, could be considered as an antisemitic action under the IHRA definition.' Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal said: 'The IHRA definition of antisemitism, and its attendant examples, conflates criticism of the policies, practices, and constitution of the State of Israel, with antisemitism. He added: 'Its adoption, by the Scottish Government and other public bodies, undermines our ability to hold Israel accountable for harming Palestinians, and violating international law. This case illustrates the absurd injustice that can result, when the Scottish Government is seeking to avoid legitimate journalistic scrutiny over meetings with Israeli officials by falsely asserting it could be a breach of the IHRA definition and antisemitic. 'The Information Commissioner has rightly dismissed this flimsy assertion and the Scottish Government should reassess the validity of its position on the IHRA definition.' Nick McGowan-Lowe, Scotland organiser at the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the Scottish Government is 'lightning-quick to claim a commitment to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability, but is glacially slow when it comes to putting those same principles into action'. He added: 'The NUJ has long argued that Scotland's FOI legislation is in dire need of reform, and will be lobbying for support of Katy Clark MSP's bill at Holyrood to bring freedom of information laws into line for a modern democracy.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'We have received the Information Commissioner's decision and are considering its terms. Freedom of Information legislation permits us to consider whether disclosure of information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between the UK and any other state. This applies to all countries.'
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
In charts: What does the new Brexit deal mean for fishing?
Critics have branded Keir Starmer's fishing deal with the EU 'a horror show' for the industry after he granted European trawler fleets 12 years of access to UK waters. The roll over of the existing fisheries deal to 2038 will benefit the British fishing industry, the prime minister has claimed, by allowing the sale of fish caught in UK waters to be sold in the EU without veterinary checks, removing a costly post-Brexit barrier. Sir Keir has also unveiled a £360m fund to support fishing communities and modernise the British fishing fleet. He told reporters on Monday: "It's time to look forward. To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people.' But he faces another argument with the Scottish government after failing to consult them before signing his deal, which impacts Scottish fisheries. The Scottish Fishermen 's Federation (SFF) branded the UK-EU deal a "horror show" for the sector, while Scottish constitution secretary Angus Robertson blasted the UK for agreeing a fisheries deal in principle "without any recourse, involvement or approval of devolved administrations". However, government sources have briefed that UK hands were tied because the Windsor Framework Agreement struck last year by Rishi Sunak meant the UK would have to negotiate fishing rights at the same time as access to the energy market. The core elements remain unchanged from the Conservatives' post-Brexit fisheries deal, first implemented in 2020, and continues to allow EU fishermen access to UK waters. However, Tory Party leader Kemi Badenoch claimed that the fishing agreement was three times longer than the government wanted. But Richard Kilpatrick, head of campaigns at thinktank European Movement UK, said the certainty provided by the longer timeframe will benefit the industry. 'This will open a serious food deal with the EU, which is of huge benefit to all of us - including the fishing industry,' he told the Independent. 'Even if it is not quite what they wanted, [the fisheries deal] gives the industry certainty, which can guide their investment decisions - much clearer than returning to it every few years." 'Betrayal' over fisheries The EU is still Britain's top market for fish but since Brexit, the UK's seafood exports have dropped by 26 per cent to just 336,000 tonnes in 2023 compared to 454,000 in 2019. Both British and European fishermen working in UK waters are subject to quotas, meaning that they have an allocated limit of fish they can catch, called a 'catch share'. In the first post-Brexit fishing deal, agreed in 2020, the government wanted European fishermen to give up 80 per cent of their catch in British waters. In the end, however, the EU gave up just 25 per cent of its catch share. This meant that the UK's catch share increased by just under 10 per cent, according to think tank UK in a Changing Europe. Sir Keir announced that the UK has struck a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS) with the EU, a boon for British food exporters who have suffered since Brexit. The deal will 'make food and agricultural trade with the EU cheaper and easier', Sir Keir said, allowing exporters to sell 'great British burgers, shellfish, and other products' into the EU market. The SPS deal will also benefit UK consumers, by making it easier to stock EU food products and fresh produce in supermarkets. food rotting at the border and lack of fresh produce on UK shelves.
Scotsman
20-05-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Emergency funds should be exception, not the rule
This week's announcement that over £2 million in emergency funding will be injected into Edinburgh's third sector is welcome news — but it also highlights a deeper issue. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Emergency funds should be the exception, not the rule. Edinburgh City Council urgently needs to get real about the scale of the challenge and commit to long-term, sustainable support for the charities that keep our communities going. The Stafford Centre in Broughton Street is run by Change Mental Health as a community hub and drop-in centre Many local organisations have faced months of uncertainty over their future, despite providing life-saving services. I recently raised concerns about the lack of clarity and the unacceptable delays in funding decisions, which leave dedicated staff and volunteers in limbo and vulnerable residents at risk. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Take the case of the Stafford Centre on Broughton Street, run by Change Mental Health. It supports 17 staff, four volunteers and over 600 regular users through counselling, peer support, creative activities and projects for veterans and trauma survivors. The centre's £188,000 funding through the Thrive Edinburgh programme is at risk due to delayed decisions by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board. In 2024 alone, Thrive reached more than 4300 people and delivered over £7 in social value for every £1 spent. Without the Stafford Centre, demand would shift back to overstretched NHS and council services, costing more in the long run. Charities across Edinburgh provide a multitude of essential services that touch every part of city life. We owe it to them and to the people they support to put in place a long-term, stable funding solution. A one-year delay in contract cancellations would safeguard vital local services, uphold the proven social value of early-intervention work and provide the space needed for collaborative review. Far from obstructing necessary reforms, this measured pause would help build a more sustainable, integrated mental-health system for everyone in Edinburgh. Angus Robertson is SNP MSP for Edinburgh Central and Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Secretary
