Latest news with #Borthwick
Scotsman
24-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Food banks in Aberdeen? Why this once wealthy city fears economic disaster
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... I left my native Inverclyde in 1978 to be a mature student at Aberdeen University. Four years later, it churned me out as a graduate and I took my degree out into a Britain about to experience an economic revolution. My time in Aberdeen witnessed the peak oil boom years. It came to the rescue of an ailing nation. The 1979 general election had brought Margaret Thatcher to power and oil gave her the financial cushion to remodel the economy, mainly moving Britain from manufacturing to services. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In tandem with the huge loss of manufacturing enterprises, and the jobs they provided, dozens of industrial towns lost the complex weave of skills fundamental to their economic viability. That's the fate that Aberdeen now fears may befall its oil and gas workforce and the supply chain of supportive specialist companies the industry depends on. An oil industry supply vessel docked at Aberdeen Harbour (Picture: Andy Buchanan) | AFP via Getty Images 'Equivalent of 25 Grangemouths' I went to Aberdeen to talk to Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. He told me the region has a clear plan, one that can deliver great benefits to the UK. Borthwick's strategic aim is to see his region emerge as the European capital for renewable energy skills and technologies. All that's needed for Aberdeen to do that currently exists in the area. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The threat to the city's future is, argued Borthwick, to be found in the UK Government's windfall tax on the North Sea operators. The tax has seen new investment in the sector come to a halt, creating a domino effect of people and enterprises following the industry out of Aberdeen to where it is investing overseas. 'We have already suffered the equivalent of 25 Grangemouths in terms of job losses,' said Borthwick. (Four hundred jobs are going at Grangemouth with the closure of the refinery.) Oil and gas are not about to vanish as elements in the UK's energy mix. Current forecasts say both fuels will be needed for at least 25 years, a lot of it imported. By increasing North Sea production and exploration now, and ending the windfall tax, argues Aberdeen's Chamber of Commerce, the UK can be more energy secure, reduce reliance on imports, cut the harmful emissions from importing fuel halfway across the world and lay solid foundations for leadership in net zero. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'In ten years' time, I want the country to see Aberdeen as the place that enabled the UK to achieve its climate and net-zero ambitions in a way that kept the lights on, kept people in work and powered an economic recovery for the UK, and at no cost to the public purse,' Borthwick said. Scotland's economic disasters In their haunting song Letter From America, The Proclaimers chronicle a list of great Scottish economic disasters. There seems an opportunity now to avoid the mistakes of the past, to do something different, something better. John Swinney's Scottish Government has a role to play in championing the North East as the home of energy. But only Keir Starmer has the power to swap short-term fiscal expediency for long-term economic success for Aberdeen and the North East, for Scotland and the UK. Aberdeen University's principal, Professor George Boyne, shared Borthwick's commitment to net zero. We talked in his office at King's College. 'Let's get the pace right to protect the employment, the wellbeing and the welfare of the people of the North East,' he said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Since 1495, the university has been producing a commodity even more valuable than oil – it's been building brains in Scotland. Boyne retires later this year, leaving behind a university with very high levels of student satisfaction and research and development income up 80 per cent in the past five years. The EU students lost to Brexit have also been entirely replaced with scholars from other lands. But the UK's divorce from the EU can't separate an institution like Aberdeen University from its geographic and intellectual roots, or its Enlightenment values. 'Brexit was damaging to our sense of who we are, to our identity as a university,' Boyne said. 'It was inconsistent with our history. We were founded on the European model of a university and have always felt like a northern European university. Brexit feels like a fracture. We still mourn the loss of all those wonderful EU undergraduates. They brought so much culturally and intellectually to the university.' 'Self-defeating' Stephen Flynn is the SNP MP for Aberdeen South and his party's leader at Westminster. I called him to ask how fast we should move to net zero right now. Flynn urged the UK Government to greatly accelerate decisions over new North Sea oil and gas licences and the fiscal regime affecting the industry. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We need certainty now over the future for oil and gas and of the new net-zero technologies. The North East desperately needs projects like the Acorn carbon capture facility to speed up net-zero and help retain the skills and supply base we have. There's a real air of trepidation in Aberdeen,' he said. Flynn argued it was unrealistic not to have new licences. 'Without the revenue from the North Sea and the skills the industry brings, we all lose. A hard stop in oil is self-defeating.' The immediate future for Scotland's energy industries hangs in the balance. Get it right and Labour might once again claim to be the natural party of Scotland. Get it wrong, and that will bring hardship to many. Lochaber No More. Near the Pittodrie Bar, where once I was a regular, I came across a food bank. In Aberdeen? Perhaps Lochaber is already here.
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'Simply jumps into it and embraces the contest' - England boss backs Henry Pollock to star on Lions tour
Henry Pollock is being backed by England boss Steve Borthwick to continue his startling breakthrough season by becoming a Test British and Irish Lion this summer. Pollock won his only England cap against Wales in the final match of the Six Nations but that Cardiff cameo and some rampaging displays for Northampton in Europe have propelled him into Andy Farrell's squad for Australia. Still only 20, the high-energy flanker is one of the most exciting talents in English rugby and Borthwick believes his remarkable career trajectory could produce an appearance against the Wallabies. "Nobody would bet against it. What struck us is that each and every level he steps up to, he really embraces that challenge," Borthwick said of Pollock, who helped the Saints to victory over Leinster in the Champions Cup semi-final. "I sense he's somebody who just jumps all into it and doesn't contemplate it too much. Simply jumps into it and embraces the contest. And I expect him to do the same again this summer. "Look at how quickly he's grown from being at our Six Nations training camp, then playing a couple of games with the Under-20s, to then joining our training camp again and playing at the end of the Six Nations. "The form he's shown for Northampton since then – and in some of the biggest games – has been brilliant. He's clearly an incredibly talented player who just loves the challenge." While Pollock will have responsibility for looking after the Lions' cuddly toy mascot 'BIL' for the entire tour due to being the squad's youngest player, another England forward will head Down Under as the first amongst equals. Maro Itoje has been placed in charge of the Lions for the 10-match itinerary that opens against Argentina in Dublin on 20 June – and Borthwick believes he will lead by example. "I always remember an interview with Martin Johnson after 2003 and they were asking him 'what's the most important thing for a captain to do?'" said Borthwick in reference to England's World Cup-winning skipper, who also led the Lions in 1997 and 2001. "And in the typical Johnno way, with very few words, he replied: 'play well'. That's exactly what Maro does. "Each and every week he plays 80 minutes of every contest. He's exceptional. That's the kind of role model you want as a captain. He also understands the game really well."
Rhyl Journal
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Steve Borthwick backs Henry Pollock to make an impact with the Lions this summer
Pollock won his only England cap against Wales in the final match of the Six Nations but that Cardiff cameo and some rampaging displays for Northampton in Europe have propelled him into Andy Farrell's squad for Australia. Still only 20, the high-energy flanker is one of the most exciting talents in English rugby and Borthwick believes his remarkable career trajectory could produce an appearance against the Wallabies. 'Nobody would bet against it. What struck us is that each and every level he steps up to, he really embraces that challenge,' Borthwick said. A post shared by The British & Irish Lions (@britishandirishlions) 'I sense he's somebody who just jumps all into it and doesn't contemplate it too much. Simply jumps into it and embraces the contest. And I expect him to do the same again this summer. 'Look at how quickly he's grown from being at our Six Nations training camp, then playing a couple of games with the Under-20s, to then joining our training camp again and playing at the end of the Six Nations. 'The form he's shown for Northampton since then – and in some of the biggest games – has been brilliant. He's clearly an incredibly talented player who just loves the challenge.' While Pollock will have responsibility for looking after the Lions' cuddly toy mascot 'BIL' for the entire tour due to being the squad's youngest player, another England forward will head Down Under as the first amongst equals. A post shared by Maro Itoje (@maroitoje) Maro Itoje has been placed in charge of the Lions for the 10-match itinerary that opens against Argentina in Dublin on June 20 – and Borthwick believes he will lead by example. 'I always remember an interview with Martin Johnson after 2003 and they were asking him 'what's the most important thing for a captain to do?'' said Borthwick in reference to England's World Cup-winning skipper, who also led the Lions in 1997 and 2001. 'And in the typical Johnno way, with very few words, he replied: 'play well'. That's exactly what Maro does. 'Each and every week he plays 80 minutes of every contest. He's exceptional. That's the kind of role model you want as a captain. He also understands the game really well.'
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
England boss delighted with 'world class' star after injury ended Lions hopes
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has not played since before Christmas due to injury but is eyeing an imminent return and England boss Steve Borthwick is enthused about the return of the Exeter Chiefs winger Steve Borthwick believes Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is 'raring to get stuck in' and hopes the 'world class' Exeter Chiefs winger will feature in England's summer fixtures. The 22-year-old has not played since before Christmas and had shoulder surgery earlier this year but came through the first day of England's training camp unscathed at Pennyhill Park before returning home to sit an upcoming medical exam. Borthwick was impressed by the winger's condition, which is still being closely monitored as he nears his return, and couldn't hide his pleasure at seeing the 10-cap starlet training with the squad. 'We are delighted to see him back on the grass,' he said. 'The medical teams are really pleased with his recovery and you always get a sense with a player of how he is feeling, and there was a really positive energy from Manny. 'The number of times I had to step in and pull him back because he wanted to go further and do more - I had to step in and stop that a number of times, and stand on his wing to keep reminding him. That's a really positive sign about where Manny is at. 'He is raring to get stuck back into things. He is a young man, it's a young England squad in general and these players are just desperate to play. As a coach, it's a really energising environment to be part of.' Feyi-Waboso is part of a 33-man training squad including 14 uncapped players as Borthwick runs the rule over his options for a busy summer. Sale centre Rekeiti Ma'asi-White, Leicester back-rower Emeka Ilione and promising prop Afolabi Fasogbon, a teammate of Henry Pollock when England Under-20s became world champions, are among those contesting to make their debuts in the upcoming months. A clash with a France XV kicks things off on June 21 before two Tests in Argentina and a trip to Washington to take on USA. England last faced Los Pumas on their own turf in 2017, a trip that proved integral in the development of the likes of Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, and Borthwick hopes this one will be similarly beneficial. 'I have no doubt there will be some players who emerge and stake their claim this summer,' he added. 'There will be players who say 'I really want to be a part of that team in 2027' (at the next World Cup), and I'm looking forward to that. The energy, the excitement they bring and the way they have attacked in this camp is really impressive.' The squad contains no players from Northampton Saints and Bath, who both take on French opposition in European finals this weekend. England will do likewise at Allianz Stadium in an uncapped international in June before setting off to South America, a contest Borthwick is relishing. 'It will be an important step for us,' he said. 'We know France will have some players unavailable for selection, as we will. We also know the depth they have in their country and in their squad. We spoke prior to the Six Nations as some of our clubs had had tough games against French opponents, so they went in with a lot of confidence against us. 'Hopefully this weekend we will see English clubs do really well and hopefully we will continue that at Allianz Stadium.'
North Wales Chronicle
22-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Steve Borthwick backs Henry Pollock to make an impact with the Lions this summer
Pollock won his only England cap against Wales in the final match of the Six Nations but that Cardiff cameo and some rampaging displays for Northampton in Europe have propelled him into Andy Farrell's squad for Australia. Still only 20, the high-energy flanker is one of the most exciting talents in English rugby and Borthwick believes his remarkable career trajectory could produce an appearance against the Wallabies. 'Nobody would bet against it. What struck us is that each and every level he steps up to, he really embraces that challenge,' Borthwick said. A post shared by The British & Irish Lions (@britishandirishlions) 'I sense he's somebody who just jumps all into it and doesn't contemplate it too much. Simply jumps into it and embraces the contest. And I expect him to do the same again this summer. 'Look at how quickly he's grown from being at our Six Nations training camp, then playing a couple of games with the Under-20s, to then joining our training camp again and playing at the end of the Six Nations. 'The form he's shown for Northampton since then – and in some of the biggest games – has been brilliant. He's clearly an incredibly talented player who just loves the challenge.' While Pollock will have responsibility for looking after the Lions' cuddly toy mascot 'BIL' for the entire tour due to being the squad's youngest player, another England forward will head Down Under as the first amongst equals. A post shared by Maro Itoje (@maroitoje) Maro Itoje has been placed in charge of the Lions for the 10-match itinerary that opens against Argentina in Dublin on June 20 – and Borthwick believes he will lead by example. 'I always remember an interview with Martin Johnson after 2003 and they were asking him 'what's the most important thing for a captain to do?'' said Borthwick in reference to England's World Cup-winning skipper, who also led the Lions in 1997 and 2001. 'And in the typical Johnno way, with very few words, he replied: 'play well'. That's exactly what Maro does. 'Each and every week he plays 80 minutes of every contest. He's exceptional. That's the kind of role model you want as a captain. He also understands the game really well.'
