Latest news with #ButeHouse
The Courier
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Courier
Controversial Perthshire national park bid back in play as rival plan scrapped
Hopes have been revived for a new national park in Highland Perthshire. Perth and Kinross Council's 'Tay Forest' project was mothballed last summer when Galloway was named the preferred location for Scotland's third national park. But the Galloway bid was scrapped this week following 'significant opposition'. And that's raised the prospect of the Perthshire national park proposal being resurrected. The council told The Courier it is following events at Holyrood. 'We are awaiting further information from the Scottish Government,' said a spokesman. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon was asked about the chances for a Perthshire national park when she announced the Galloway scheme had hit the buffers on Thursday. Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell said communities in Perthshire had shown 'majority public support' for the bid, despite an 'aggressive misinformation campaign'. And he asked: 'Will the government now re-engage with that bid for Scotland's third national park? 'Or has it simply given up on the idea altogether?' Ms Gougeon insisted the government was still minded to establish more national parks, providing it gets the process right. 'We reached the stage of introducing the proposal to designate Galloway as a national park only because it met all the criteria that had been established and consulted on,' she added. 'We are not looking to do that at the moment, but we remain open to doing so in the future.' The Perthshire national park bid was ruled out of the running by the Scottish Government last July. It would have stretched across almost 3,000 square kilometres of Perthshire, taking in the towns of Aberfeldy, Comrie, Crieff, Dunkeld and Pitlochry. The council held an eight-week consultation on the Tay Forest proposal and received around 350 responses to its survey. More than half of respondents (56.8%) agreed or strongly agreed with the idea. But critics said national park policies – such as beaver re-introduction – conflicted with the interests of local farmers and managers. The Tayside and Central Scotland Moorland Group branded the consultation response 'woeful' and mounted an angry protest outside the council's headquarters. Aberfeldy Community Council was supportive of the national park bid. Its chairman Victor Clements says the group will watch the next steps with interest. But he suggests there are other ways to invest in nature conservation without adding more layers of management. 'Instead of funding the administrative structures of a new national park, give the equivalent budget to Perth and Kinross Council, and let them fund nature conservation initiatives and a ranger service directly,' said Mr Clements. 'The council could also support farmers and landowners in doing the things they do want to do, as they have shown they can do in the past with the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) scheme and other grant programmes.' The SNP signed up to a new national park as part of the power-sharing Bute House agreement with the Scottish Greens. It has since been scrapped too.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Government scraps Galloway and Ayrshire national park plan
As part of the Bute House agreement which saw the SNP and the Scottish Greens form a government, it was agreed that "at least one" new national park would be created to join the Caringorms and Loch Lomond and Trossachs. After applications were invited the shortlist was narrowed down to Galloway, the Scottish Borders, Lochaber, Loch Awe and Tay Forest. Read More: The preferred option, which also took in areas of East and South Ayrshire, was proposed by the Scottish Government in July last year and further investigation and consultation ordered. NatureScot was appointed to carry out the process, holding a 14 week consultation from 7 November 2024 until 14 February 2025. Over five thousand surveys were completed and more than one thousand people attended events that were held across Galloway and South and East Ayrshire, with the respective councils also involved in the process. Ultimately 54% of respondents were in opposition to the national park with 52% in favour, with the balance 57% to 40% when including only local responses. As a result, Ms Gougeon announced that the government would not proceed with the proposal. In a statement to the Scottish Parliament she said: "Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation and consultation, the reporter has advised that, whilst it considers that the proposed area meets the conditions for a national park set out in the legislation, the proposal does not have sufficient clarity, nor has it garnered sufficient local support to proceed to the next stage of designation. "We have weighed up the arguments for and against the creation of a new National Park in the area, taking full account of the potential economic, social and environmental factors, and we have come to the conclusion not to proceed with the designation of a National Park in Galloway and Ayrshire. "I realise that this decision will be very disappointing for those who have been campaigning for a new National Park in Galloway over many years. "Whilst we have decided not to proceed with the designation of a new National Park in Galloway and Ayrshire in light of the consultation findings and the Reporter's conclusions, I want to stress that this Government remains committed to National Parks in Scotland and their vital leadership role in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, promoting sustainable land management and supporting the economic and social development of local communities." The decision was welcomed in the chamber by Finlay Carson, the Scottish Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries. He said he had supported the idea in principle but "my support changed when the Bute House agreement saw Lorna Slater impose a top-down structure which seemed more like a Green-Nationalist park". Responding to the statement in the chamber, Colin Smyth, the Labour MSP for South Scotland, said: "For too long Galloway has been Scotland's forgotten corner. Strong words from @colinsmythmsp on Galloway and National Park being dropped👇@heraldscotland. — Rebecca McCurdy (@_RebeccaMcCurdy) May 29, 2025 "Today the government has made it clear it wants to tear down the 'welcome to Dumfries and Galloway' signs and put up 'no entry' instead. "Why is is that every idea this incompetent, useless, government touches falls apart?" Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell said: "This decision to scrap the promised National Park for Galloway is the culmination of lack of confident political leadership and the dangerous influence of powerful vested interests. 'Scotland's two current National Parks have shown just how valuable the status can be. Communities have benefited from better management of tourism and forestry, and new investment in transport and housing. 'By scrapping plans for the third National Park in Galloway, the Scottish Government has slammed the door on the economic investment and new powers this designation could bring. This is devastating news for the local community and nature. 'Scottish communities were competing against each other last year to secure a new National Park. But now, thanks to a campaign led by vested interests and misinformation, the Scottish Government is denying all of Scotland the opportunity to benefit from a new National Park. 'Many of the Park's biggest opponents here in Holyrood once were vocal supporters of a new National Park in Scotland. The Tories backed the designation of a new National Park in both the 2016 and 2021 manifestos, even demanding the next park be in Galloway. But once again, they have sided with wealthy landowners who oppose change and lobby for their comfy status quo. 'Ultimately, it is the people of Galloway who will pay the price for this decision to scrap the National Park, and I'm sure this wasted opportunity will not be quickly forgotten by communities.' Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland said: 'The news that Galloway is no longer under consideration to be Scotland's next National Park should send a chill down the spine of everyone campaigning to make the world a better place. That a policy so popular with the public, and a designation with so much promise for the region, has been dropped, seemingly in response to a well-funded media campaign spreading fear and misinformation, is a tragedy." Karen Blackport, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Bright Green Nature, said: 'By scrapping plans for a Galloway National Park, the Scottish Government has yet again proved it cannot successfully plot a path to a wilder Scotland. "This decision undermines efforts to restore nature, protect wildlife and support resilient rural communities. Amidst a climate and biodiversity crisis, Scotland needs leadership and vision – not another retreat from meaningful action. " Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: 'Scotland has waited for two decades for its third national park, so we are disappointed to see this major opportunity missed. 'A new Galloway National Park, if delivered well, had the potential to attract funding, promote responsible outdoor recreation and support people from all backgrounds to walk in this beautiful corner of Scotland. 'We hope that the next Parliament will work to rebuild confidence that national parks are a key part of how Scotland's finest environments can be managed for the mutual benefit of residents, visitors and nature.'
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Nicola Sturgeon receives £76,500 book advance as outcome income since leaving office soars
The former First Minister has declared nearly £200,000 in fees and book advances in the two years since quitting as FM. Nicola Sturgeon has received another £76,500 for her eagerly awaited memoirs which will be published in August. The former First Minister has declared nearly £200,000 in outside earnings since standing down from the Bute House role. Sturgeon's book, Frankly, is expected to lift the lid on her nine years as Scotland's leader and the breakdown of her friendship with the late Alex Salmond. According to her Holyrood register of interest, she received £75,000 in 2023 from publishers Pan Macmillan for the first of four instalments of a book advance. Other income, including a recent £76,500 second book payment made via her literary agent and fees for book reviews, was paid to her personal company. Nicola Sturgeon Ltd also received £25,000 from broadcaster ITN after the former SNP leader appeared on a general election night results show. To coincide with publication of her book, fans of Sturgeon are being charged £75 to attend a 'meet and greet' with her later this year ahead of an interview in Edinburgh. The fee is on top of ticket prices for the event at the 2200 capacity Usher Hall which stretch to £73.95 including the booking fee. In an Instagram post, she plugged an 'evening with Nicola Sturgeon ' in the Capital in which she would reflect on her career in politics. Sturgeon, who is standing down from Holyrood next year, has been accused of being a part-time MSP since resigning as FM, with critics hitting out at her attendance record. Glasgow Tory MSP Annie Wells said: 'Since resigning as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has become a part-time MSP rather than properly representing Glasgow Southside. 'It will stick in the throats of her constituents that she is continuing to coin it in for her work away from Holyrood at a time when they are facing huge challenges. 'Since leaving Bute House it is clear the former First Minister has been more interested in writing her memoirs and touring the festival circuit than turning up to parliament.' A spokesperson for Sturgeon said: "As opposed to uselessly shouting from the sidelines like the Tories, Nicola is continuing to be an active MSP for the people she represents - as she has done since 1999 - holding regular surgeries, meeting with constituents, and engaging widely.'
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Scotsman
10-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Tax policies need to be more 'courageous' for Scotland and divergence with UK must end
Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. 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... It is a year since John Swinney entered Bute House, and a year until the nation goes to the polls at the next Scottish parliament election. In his first 12 months, the First Minister has received credit for bringing a degree of political stability after a tumultuous period, as well as ushering in a more business-friendly tone to Holyrood that recognises the importance of economic growth. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Looking out across Edinburgh from Calton Hill | Adobe From a business perspective, tone matters and the recognition that economic growth is crucial for funding public services is to be welcomed. Unfortunately, there have been too many examples of tone causing real economic damage from across the Atlantic. But as the First Minister enters his second year in office and seeks to win a second term next May it is incumbent on the Scottish Government to go further. It must help deliver an environment that will allow business to thrive, including Scotland's financial services sector, which is worth almost £15 billion to the economy and supports around 150,000 skilled jobs. The Programme for Government contains some measures that could help do this. Plans to create a single gateway to attract inward investment are a step in the right direction as is the removal of peak rail fares, which we have long called for and which will improve connectivity for workers and businesses. A renewed focus on exports is also positive, particularly for Scotland's financial and professional services, which export more than £10bn of services annually. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the longer term, further investment in the nation's infrastructure should also be a priority, alongside removing obstacles in the planning system that are holding back the development of low-carbon technologies. We believe that both the UK and Scottish governments' tax policies should be more courageous and focus on expanding the size of the tax base, rather than take. Divergence between the tax regimes of Scotland and the rest of the UK remains a key concern for firms trying to attract and retain talent. Think of what Scotland could achieve in terms of investment and attracting well-paid, high-skill jobs, if it were to become the lowest taxed part of the UK. Emerging industries also continue to face skills shortages in important areas. Tackling this is now a matter of urgency and should be high on the First Minister's list of priorities, particularly when considered against the backdrop of looming demographic changes and the financial crisis engulfing some of our colleges and universities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This in particular is a knotty problem that will not resolve itself and requires a mature and frank conversation from our leaders. We need cross-party action to align the skills system with the needs of the economy. Sandy Begbie is the chief executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE). Picture by Graham Flack | Contributed/Graham Flack A greater focus on addressing these issues would help stimulate the economy now, while laying the foundations for a more prosperous future. In October, the spotlight of global investors will fall on Edinburgh during the Scottish Investment Summit, organised by Scottish Financial Enterprise and the City of London Corporation. The event, backed by both the Scottish and UK governments, will explore the massive growth potential of our financial services, green energy and life sciences sectors and offers an important opportunity for both administrations to work together to deliver the investment that is essential for Scotland to thrive. This must be the unrelenting focus of our politicians in all programmes for government.
The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Conversion therapy ban in Scotland 'kicked into long grass'
Plans to outlaw conversion therapy were one of the pillars of the Bute House agreement with the Scottish Greens, and the SNP said they would continue on track after the electoral pact was ended by former First Minister Humza Yousaf. However, the moves have remained in the long grass and will now await action by the next administration, following the election in 2026. The failure to bring forward a ban has been described as 'shameful' by Scottish Greens equality spokesperson Maggie Chapman MSP, who said that LGBTQIA+ were being put at 'serious risk' by conversion therapy. Holyrood's equalities minister Kaukab Stewart said while the Scottish Government will 'continue to work' with Westminster on a UK-wide approach, Holyrood ministers will 'get on with the job of ending these harmful practices' if there is no progress. She promised that if the UK Labour Government fails to legislate on the issue, an SNP Scottish Government will 'publish its own Bill in year one of the next parliamentary session'. Kaukab Stewart (Image: PA) The Scottish Government previously committed to banning conversion therapy – which aims to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or identity – as part of the powersharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens. The Bute House Agreement ended before legislation was brought forward, with the Scottish Government saying earlier this year that it will prepare its own Bill 'should a UK-wide approach not be achievable'. Ministers are said to be continuing to engage with the UK Government to 'fully explore' legislation which could be applied across Scotland, England and Wales. READ MORE: Ms Stewart said: 'Scotland remains absolute in our commitment to equality, the rights of the LGBTQI+ community, and ending conversion practices. 'We will continue to work with the UK Government on legislation extending to Scotland, that applies across all settings and protects all ages, is trans-inclusive and does not include any exemption for consent. 'However, if we do not make progress through a collaborative approach, the Scottish Government will get on with the job of ending these harmful practices in Scotland and intends to publish its own Bill in year one of the next parliamentary session.' In light of the Supreme Court ruling that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex', Ms Stewart said recent weeks have been 'challenging for our LGBTQI+ communities'. But she told them: 'We want you to know we stand with you and we will work tirelessly to ban conversion practices once and for all.' The minister also stressed the Scottish Government will 'continue to develop and deliver other measures to end conversion practices and support survivors'. Maggie Chapman (Image: PA) She said: 'So far, we have funded the establishment of a national helpline for anyone affected by conversion practices. 'We are improving how primary care services in the NHS respond to those affected by conversion practices by updating mental health and wellbeing resources. 'And we are supporting young people though our inclusive education programme and working with Young Scot to provide accessible, youth-focused information and signposting on conversion practices, safeguarding and support.' Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman said: 'LGBTQIA+ people are put at serious risk by cruel, harmful conversion practices that are currently flying under the radar. So-called conversion 'therapies' are deeply immoral and leave lasting damage for survivors. These abusive practices have no place in a modern, progressive Scotland. 'This sends a terrible message. Our government must offer compassion, kindness and reassurance, not only in words but also in laws. 'The Scottish Government should not be kicking these bills into the long grass, but that is exactly what is happening. The promises of support and justice tomorrow mean nothing to those being actively harmed by inaction today.'
