Latest news with #IanMurray
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
We're backing Scotland with billions in investment, says Reeves ahead of visit
Rachel Reeves said Labour is 'seizing the huge potential and opportunities that Scotland has to offer' in defence and energy. She will visit RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and the St Fergus gas plant in Aberdeenshire on Friday, exactly a week after she toured the Rolls-Royce factory near Glasgow Airport. The Chancellor will meet 200 Boeing staff at the military site where three new E-7 Wedgetail aircraft are being made. The UK Government said its plans to increase defence spending to 2.6% will raise Britain's GDP by around 0.3%, while adding 26,100 jobs to the Scottish economy. It also pointed to its £200 million investment for Aberdeenshire's Acorn carbon capture project, which could create 15,000 new jobs while safeguarding 18,000 more. A final investment decision for the project is yet to be made. Ms Reeves said: 'We're seizing the huge potential and opportunities that Scotland has on offer. 'Whether it's in defence to keep the UK safe, or clean energy to power all corners of the country, this Government is backing Scotland with billions of pounds of investment to grow the economy and create jobs.' The Chancellor will visit RAF Lossiemouth on Friday (Danny Lawson/PA) Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the Government is investing in defence to 'ensure Britain's security and deter our adversaries and drive economic growth'. He added: 'This investment is a massive jobs opportunity for Scotland – this 'defence dividend' is good news for Scotland, where it will help create skilled jobs, drive economic growth, and help tackle the critical skills gaps facing the country in sectors such as nuclear, construction, maritime and project management.' Maria Laine, Boeing's UK president, said: 'Boeing has a long-standing presence in Scotland including at RAF Lossiemouth, the home to the UK's P-8 Poseidon fleet and where the E-7 Wedgetail will be based when it enters service. 'As a key partner of the UK Armed Forces, Boeing welcomes the defence spending increase and has seen first-hand how defence infrastructure investments, such as the £100 million Atlantic Building and new E-7 facilities at RAF Lossiemouth, can deliver for local jobs, suppliers and UK national security.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said Scotland is receiving a 'defence dividend' from the UK Government (Gareth Fuller/PA) Michelle Ferguson, director of CBI Scotland, added: 'Scotland's energy and defence sectors are vital to our economy, driving investment and supporting thousands of skilled jobs. 'The Chancellor's announcement of £200 million for the Acorn energy project is very encouraging, but businesses are eager for final approval to unlock its full potential and secure North Sea jobs. 'Increased defence spending will further boost Scotland's skilled workforce and create growth opportunities across key supply-chain. 'Close collaboration between the Scottish and UK governments will be essential to fully realise these benefits, driving forward national security and Scotland's transition to a resilient, low-carbon economy.' Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce urged the Chancellor to drop the energy profits levy (EPL), the so-called 'windfall tax' on oil and gas companies, which has a headline rate of 78%. Chief executive Russell Borthwick said: 'If we stick to course on the accelerated decline of the North Sea, then we'll only have a few short years and not prosperous decades of future oil and gas from our own waters. 'Instead, we'll import more, pay more and suffer further consequences of jobs and businesses lost, just at the time we need them to support the energy transition. 'We know the Chancellor needs to find growth from somewhere within the UK economy. With oil and gas, there's no need to start from scratch or build out a nascent industry. 'Simply by removing the confiscatory EPL, letting investment flow into projects and stimulating activity in a sector which has been hammered by policy for too long, we can unlock significant growth in the UK economy.'
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
We're backing Scotland with billions in investment, says Reeves ahead of visit
Rachel Reeves said Labour is 'seizing the huge potential and opportunities that Scotland has to offer' in defence and energy. She will visit RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and the St Fergus gas plant in Aberdeenshire on Friday, exactly a week after she toured the Rolls-Royce factory near Glasgow Airport. The Chancellor will meet 200 Boeing staff at the military site where three new E-7 Wedgetail aircraft are being made. The UK Government said its plans to increase defence spending to 2.6% will raise Britain's GDP by around 0.3%, while adding 26,100 jobs to the Scottish economy. It also pointed to its £200 million investment for Aberdeenshire's Acorn carbon capture project, which could create 15,000 new jobs while safeguarding 18,000 more. A final investment decision for the project is yet to be made. Ms Reeves said: 'We're seizing the huge potential and opportunities that Scotland has on offer. 'Whether it's in defence to keep the UK safe, or clean energy to power all corners of the country, this Government is backing Scotland with billions of pounds of investment to grow the economy and create jobs.' The Chancellor will visit RAF Lossiemouth on Friday (Danny Lawson/PA) Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the Government is investing in defence to 'ensure Britain's security and deter our adversaries and drive economic growth'. He added: 'This investment is a massive jobs opportunity for Scotland – this 'defence dividend' is good news for Scotland, where it will help create skilled jobs, drive economic growth, and help tackle the critical skills gaps facing the country in sectors such as nuclear, construction, maritime and project management.' Maria Laine, Boeing's UK president, said: 'Boeing has a long-standing presence in Scotland including at RAF Lossiemouth, the home to the UK's P-8 Poseidon fleet and where the E-7 Wedgetail will be based when it enters service. 'As a key partner of the UK Armed Forces, Boeing welcomes the defence spending increase and has seen first-hand how defence infrastructure investments, such as the £100 million Atlantic Building and new E-7 facilities at RAF Lossiemouth, can deliver for local jobs, suppliers and UK national security.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said Scotland is receiving a 'defence dividend' from the UK Government (Gareth Fuller/PA) Michelle Ferguson, director of CBI Scotland, added: 'Scotland's energy and defence sectors are vital to our economy, driving investment and supporting thousands of skilled jobs. 'The Chancellor's announcement of £200 million for the Acorn energy project is very encouraging, but businesses are eager for final approval to unlock its full potential and secure North Sea jobs. 'Increased defence spending will further boost Scotland's skilled workforce and create growth opportunities across key supply-chain. 'Close collaboration between the Scottish and UK governments will be essential to fully realise these benefits, driving forward national security and Scotland's transition to a resilient, low-carbon economy.' Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce urged the Chancellor to drop the energy profits levy (EPL), the so-called 'windfall tax' on oil and gas companies, which has a headline rate of 78%. Chief executive Russell Borthwick said: 'If we stick to course on the accelerated decline of the North Sea, then we'll only have a few short years and not prosperous decades of future oil and gas from our own waters. 'Instead, we'll import more, pay more and suffer further consequences of jobs and businesses lost, just at the time we need them to support the energy transition. 'We know the Chancellor needs to find growth from somewhere within the UK economy. With oil and gas, there's no need to start from scratch or build out a nascent industry. 'Simply by removing the confiscatory EPL, letting investment flow into projects and stimulating activity in a sector which has been hammered by policy for too long, we can unlock significant growth in the UK economy.'
Western Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
We're backing Scotland with billions in investment, says Reeves ahead of visit
Rachel Reeves said Labour is 'seizing the huge potential and opportunities that Scotland has to offer' in defence and energy. She will visit RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and the St Fergus gas plant in Aberdeenshire on Friday, exactly a week after she toured the Rolls-Royce factory near Glasgow Airport. The Chancellor will meet 200 Boeing staff at the military site where three new E-7 Wedgetail aircraft are being made. The UK Government said its plans to increase defence spending to 2.6% will raise Britain's GDP by around 0.3%, while adding 26,100 jobs to the Scottish economy. It also pointed to its £200 million investment for Aberdeenshire's Acorn carbon capture project, which could create 15,000 new jobs while safeguarding 18,000 more. A final investment decision for the project is yet to be made. Ms Reeves said: 'We're seizing the huge potential and opportunities that Scotland has on offer. 'Whether it's in defence to keep the UK safe, or clean energy to power all corners of the country, this Government is backing Scotland with billions of pounds of investment to grow the economy and create jobs.' The Chancellor will visit RAF Lossiemouth on Friday (Danny Lawson/PA) Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the Government is investing in defence to 'ensure Britain's security and deter our adversaries and drive economic growth'. He added: 'This investment is a massive jobs opportunity for Scotland – this 'defence dividend' is good news for Scotland, where it will help create skilled jobs, drive economic growth, and help tackle the critical skills gaps facing the country in sectors such as nuclear, construction, maritime and project management.' Maria Laine, Boeing's UK president, said: 'Boeing has a long-standing presence in Scotland including at RAF Lossiemouth, the home to the UK's P-8 Poseidon fleet and where the E-7 Wedgetail will be based when it enters service. 'As a key partner of the UK Armed Forces, Boeing welcomes the defence spending increase and has seen first-hand how defence infrastructure investments, such as the £100 million Atlantic Building and new E-7 facilities at RAF Lossiemouth, can deliver for local jobs, suppliers and UK national security.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said Scotland is receiving a 'defence dividend' from the UK Government (Gareth Fuller/PA) Michelle Ferguson, director of CBI Scotland, added: 'Scotland's energy and defence sectors are vital to our economy, driving investment and supporting thousands of skilled jobs. 'The Chancellor's announcement of £200 million for the Acorn energy project is very encouraging, but businesses are eager for final approval to unlock its full potential and secure North Sea jobs. 'Increased defence spending will further boost Scotland's skilled workforce and create growth opportunities across key supply-chain. 'Close collaboration between the Scottish and UK governments will be essential to fully realise these benefits, driving forward national security and Scotland's transition to a resilient, low-carbon economy.' Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce urged the Chancellor to drop the energy profits levy (EPL), the so-called 'windfall tax' on oil and gas companies, which has a headline rate of 78%. Chief executive Russell Borthwick said: 'If we stick to course on the accelerated decline of the North Sea, then we'll only have a few short years and not prosperous decades of future oil and gas from our own waters. 'Instead, we'll import more, pay more and suffer further consequences of jobs and businesses lost, just at the time we need them to support the energy transition. 'We know the Chancellor needs to find growth from somewhere within the UK economy. With oil and gas, there's no need to start from scratch or build out a nascent industry. 'Simply by removing the confiscatory EPL, letting investment flow into projects and stimulating activity in a sector which has been hammered by policy for too long, we can unlock significant growth in the UK economy.'
The National
16 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Green light for one of world's largest wind farms with 307 turbines
Located approximately 38km from the Scottish Borders coastline at St Abbs, Berwick Bank wind farm will have an estimated capacity of 4.1 gigawatts (GW) which, with current technology, could generate enough electricity each year to power every household in Scotland around twice over. A coalition of five charities previously wrote to the First Minister urging him to reject Berwick Bank windfarm, to protect wildlife and progress less damaging offshore projects, warning that the developer's, SSE Renewables, own estimates show it could result in the deaths of tens of thousands of seabirds. READ MORE: Scottish oil and gas firm to shut down with jobs lost and staff 'unpaid since May' In recognition that the site is considered a highly important area for wildlife, the Government has said consent for the construction and operation of the wind farm is subject to SSE Renewables producing a detailed sea bird compensation plan outlining how adverse impacts on seabirds will be compensated for. This plan will need to be approved by Scottish Ministers ahead of Berwick Bank proceeding. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: 'Ministers have given the Berwick Bank wind farm application extremely careful consideration. 'The decision to grant consent to Berwick Bank is a major step in Scotland's progress towards achieving net zero and tackling the climate crisis, as well as supporting national energy security and growing our green economy. 'It is also an important decision for Scotland's renewables sector, and this investment will be further built upon through the delivery of Scotland's significant future pipeline of offshore wind projects under the ScotWind and the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing rounds. 'We will continue to work closely with the developer and key stakeholders, including those working in fishing and conservation – to minimise the impact of the development on the marine environment and other marine users – and balance the needs of people and nature.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'Since taking office I have prioritised delivering more clean energy jobs in Scotland. I welcome this decision, which marks a crucial stage in the development of this project. "Berwick Bank has the potential to make a huge contribution to the UK Government's growth and clean energy missions and create clean power jobs in Scotland. "Scotland is at the front of the race to clean energy across the UK, Berwick Bank would be the world's biggest wind farm just off the East Lothian coast, which underlines the massive potential clean energy has to generate jobs, wealth and opportunity for Scottish families. "These large-scale renewable energy projects will ensure people in Scotland truly benefit from clean power, lower bills, and good quality job opportunities."
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Hilarious moment Donald Trump's golf caddie appears to subtly drop ball in prime spot before he arrives to take shot
THIS is the hilarious moment Donald Trump's golf caddy appears to drop his ball into a prime spot before he takes his shot. A video clip has emerged which shows two golf caddies alongside the US President as he drives a golf cart around Turnberry's Ailsa course, in Scotland. 6 6 He donned a white USA baseball cap and was joined by his son Eric. Trump, 79, is seen being escorted down to the course, with a convoy of 20 other carts following close behind. The caddies go ahead of the US leaser and one appears to try and secretly place a golf ball on the ground. The President then gets out and claims to have made the shot himself. Trump waves for cameras on the third green at the southeast end of the course before the party moves on. One person who watched the footage circulating on X wrote: "Caddy did that so smoothly. Can only imagine how many times he's done it." "I want to know how he finds caddies to do that for him," added another. This comes as the US President arrived aboard Air Force One at around 8.30pm on Friday for his five-day private visit to Bonnie Scotland. After waving to the crowds, he was welcomed by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray before being whisked to his luxury Turnberry resort 20 miles down the Ayrshire coast. Villagers waved as the convoy passed through nearby Kirkoswald and later arrived at the resort at around 9.30pm. And he wasted no time in taking to the green after being seen teeing off at the luxury resort. Several protests were planned, with opponents of Mr Trump gathering in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen earlier this week. The Stop Trump coalition has planned what it has described as being a "festival of resistance". Activists also shut down the Forth Road Bridge in South Queensferry as part of a huge protest ahead of Trump's visit. 6 6 6 Climate campaigners from Greenpeace confirmed that 10 activists abseiled from the massive 156m bridge to block an INEOS tanker. A large number of police and military personnel were seen searching the grounds at the golf resort to ensure Mr Trump's safety before he teed off. A high-profile security operation was in full swing with land, sea and air coverage from police and security services while a number of guests were checked over. Secret service agents with sniffer dogs checked bushes as snipers were positioned on a platform on the edge of the course and the roof of the hotel. Uniformed and plain clothes cops guarded all access points to the course, including roads, footpaths and the beach. Amid the search, a few golfers were also spotted at the course, enjoying an early-morning game. A number of onlookers had gathered at the entrance to Turnberry hoping to catch a glimpse of the game. But they were not let anywhere near. Police also had road closures in place, with limited access for locals and members of the media. Upon his arrival, Mr Trump told reporters: "There's no place like Turnberry. It's the best course in the world." As well as visiting Trump Turnberry, Mr Trump will later head to Aberdeenshire and visit his golf resort in Balmedie. During his stay, he will officially open his second course at Menie, named in honour of his late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod. His visit is expected to last until Tuesday, July 29. The President is also scheduled to meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his trip. After landing in Scotland, Mr Trump said the "invasion" of migrants is "killing" Europe and told the leaders to "get their act together". But when asked about illegal immigration, Mr Trump said a "horrible invasion" was taking place in Europe which needs to stop. He said: "On immigration, you better get your act together. 'You're not going to have Europe anymore, you've got to get your act together. 'As you know, last month we had nobody entering our country – nobody, [we] shut it down.' He added: 'You've got to stop this horrible invasion that's happening to Europe.' Mr Trump, who made a crackdown on illegal immigration a major policy in his second term at the White House, boasted: "Last month we had nobody entering our country." A massive £5million security operation has been rolled out to ensure his safety, with around 6,000 police officers drafted in from across the UK to support the efforts. We previously told how police and security services assessed fears that Trump could be assassinated during his visit to Scotland after he survived an attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania last year. David Threadgold, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said "a huge amount of threat assessment and intelligence gathering' took place ahead of the visit.
