Latest news with #Australia-raised
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
More ministers use Gaelic titles... with Neil Gray now Niall Gray (spot the difference!)
When is your MSP a BPA? The answer is when they choose to have two names and titles – in both English and Gaelic. A trend is growing among SNP ministers for announcing themselves on correspondence with a pair of monikers. Officials have worked up dual-language letterheads for members of the government. Some involve rather intricate reworkings, with Fife-raised Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, for example, also being referred to as Jenny NicGilleRuaidh. Meanwhile others' Gaelic translations are identical to ministers' names in English, which begs the question: 'why do it at all?' Scots have grown accustomed to seeing bilingual town signs and emergency service vehicles. But critics note that three of the most fraught areas of government – health, education and finance – now have cabinet secretaries who have chosen to adopt Gaelic versions of their names. William Yarwood, media campaign manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Few Scots will begrudge the proportionate promotion of the Gaelic language by politicians. 'But ultimately the core duty of ministers is to govern and they would do well to remember that fact.' John Swinney created the post of Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic especially for his deputy Kate Forbes last year. She became fluent in the Celtic tongue while at school and represents the Highland constituency of Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch. And she's since unveiled an extra £5.7 million of funding for the language. Letters from her office carry her name both in English and Gaelic, the latter version being Ceit Fhoirbeis. But others have been keen to follow her example - though for less discernible reasons. Finance & Local Government Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison – born in Yorkshire, raised in Clackmannanshire and representing Dundee East – has announced herself as Rùnaire a' Chaibineit airson Ionmhas agus Riaghaltas Ionadail Seòna Robastan BPA [Ball Pàrlamaid na h-Alba]. Meanwhile, Health Secretary Neil Gray – originally from Orkney and MSP for Airdrie & Shotts – refers to himself as Niall Gray. Among those doubling up on Gaelic letterheads, while having the same name in both languages, are Australia-raised Victims Minister Siobhian Brown; Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie (from Perthshire) and Children Minister Natalie Don-Innes (Renfrewshire). Also joining in has been Social Care Minister Maree Todd – from Cromarty – who took her Holyrood oath in Gaelic despite not speaking the language, Public Health Minister Jenni Minto, who now lives on Islay, even gives priority to Gaelic on her letterhead, and climate minister Alasdair Allan, the MSP for the Western Isles, has moved to Lewis and speaks the language. Meanwhile, First Minister John Swinney has announced himself as An Fhìor Urr [Rt Hon] John Swinney BPA, Am Prìomh Mhinistear. There were 69,701 Gaelic speakers in Scotland at the last census in 2022, up from 57,375 in 2021 – but still well down on the 254,415 in 1891. The Scottish Government spends up to £30 million a year supporting minority languages. Among the outlay is the £5 million budget for the Bord na Gaidhlig quango, set up in 2005 to force public bodies to become more bilingual. An extra £5.7 million has been promised to promote Gaelic this year, and Forbes says she wants it to be taught in every school. She's also backed a new centre in Inverness with £370,000 of taxpayers' money, which will let speakers 'communicate without the fear of using English', she promised. Last night, the Scottish Government said it is up to ministers to choose whether to have bilingual letterheads. A spokesman said: 'Gaelic is an intrinsic part of Scotland's culture and heritage. 'Bilingual letter templates are produced for ministers as part of commitments within the Scottish Government's Gaelic Language Plan for use at their own discretion. 'The plan has been in place since 2010, which predates the Deputy First Minister's appointment as Cabinet Secretary for Gaelic in May 2024.'
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hain signs new deal with Warwickshire
Warwickshire batter Sam Hain has signed a contract extension to the end of the 2028 season. The 29-year-old, who has played two one-day internationals for England, has been with the Bears since he was 16 and has scored more runs in T20 cricket for the club than anyone his debut against local rivals Worcestershire in a List A game in 2013, Hain has scored nearly 12,500 runs, with 3,779 coming in the 20-over contract was due to expire at the end of the forthcoming season. "I've spent close to half my life as a Bear," Hain said., external"I've loved every minute of my time here, it's a special place and I'm lucky to call it home. "It's been one hell of a journey and I'm looking forward to seeing what the next four seasons have in store and how far we can go as a team."Hong-Kong-born, and Australia-raised, Hain played three times for England Lions before making his senior international debut against Ireland in an ODI in Nottingham in September 122 first-class matches for Warwickshire, he has scored 6,827 runs, including 18 centuries, and was part of the side that won the County Championship in Bears first-team coach Ian Westwood said he was "delighted" Hain had agreed new terms and "deserved it"."He's a great guy to have around in the dressing room, you can tell he feels relaxed and at home at Edgbaston," Westwood, who replaced Mark Robinson at the helm last month, said."He's very motivated to win more silverware with Warwickshire and help the next generation of batters come through."
