Latest news with #IanMurray
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Donald Trump visit: US President set to touch down in Prestwick Airport for four-day Scotland trip
DONALD Trump is due to touch down in Scotland this evening for a four-day visit - his first visit to the UK since his re-election. The US president is expected to visit his golf resorts at Turnberry on the Ayrshire coast and Menie in Aberdeenshire over the weekend. 4 4 4 4 He is also due to open his second course at Menie named after his late mother Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on the Isle of Lewis. The President will also meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney during his Scots trip. He will be greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he steps off his Air Force 1, with the minister pledging to give the American leader a "warm welcome". Mr Trump's presence will result in a significant operation from Police Scotland and thousands of officers, who are expected to deal with mass protests around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. High security measures have been cranked up at his golf resorts at Turnberry and Menie, Aberdeenshire, ahead of his arrival. The ring of steel includes a strict no-fly zone at both locations. Earlier today it is believed Mr Trump's family landed at Prestwick Airport in a Trump branded jet. One eagle-eyed punter said: "It looked like a big travel operation was already well underway. "It's not every day you see plane's carrying the US President and his family land on your doorstep." It comes after the President's Secret Service motorcade was spotted after arriving in Scotland. The black SUV vehicles were seen filling up at a petrol station in Monkton after being unloaded from a huge US Air Force Globemaster plane on Thursday. Trump will be here between this evening and next Tuesday and is expected to mix golf and business with key political meetings.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Donald Trump visit: US President set to touch down in Prestwick Airport for four-day Scotland trip
The American leader will be greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he steps off his Air Force 1 his evening TARTAN TRUMP Donald Trump visit: US President set to touch down in Prestwick Airport for four-day Scotland trip Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DONALD Trump is due to touch down in Scotland this evening for a four-day visit - his first visit to the UK since his re-election. The US president is expected to visit his golf resorts at Turnberry on the Ayrshire coast and Menie in Aberdeenshire over the weekend. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The US president is expected to visit his golf resorts at Turnberry and Menie Credit: AFP 4 High security measures have been cranked up at his golf resorts Credit: Getty 4 The ring of steel includes a strict no-fly zone at both locations Credit: Reuters 4 It is believed Mr Trump's family landed at Prestwick Airport midday in a Trump branded jet Credit: Colin Stephen He is also due to open his second course at Menie named after his late mother Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on the Isle of Lewis. The President will also meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney during his Scots trip. He will be greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he steps off his Air Force 1, with the minister pledging to give the American leader a "warm welcome". Mr Trump's presence will result in a significant operation from Police Scotland and thousands of officers, who are expected to deal with mass protests around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. High security measures have been cranked up at his golf resorts at Turnberry and Menie, Aberdeenshire, ahead of his arrival. The ring of steel includes a strict no-fly zone at both locations. Earlier today it is believed Mr Trump's family landed at Prestwick Airport in a Trump branded jet. One eagle-eyed punter said: "It looked like a big travel operation was already well underway. "It's not every day you see plane's carrying the US President and his family land on your doorstep." It comes after the President's Secret Service motorcade was spotted after arriving in Scotland. Donald Trump's family plane lands in Scotland ahead of Turnberry visit The black SUV vehicles were seen filling up at a petrol station in Monkton after being unloaded from a huge US Air Force Globemaster plane on Thursday. Trump will be here between this evening and next Tuesday and is expected to mix golf and business with key political meetings.
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Donald Trump departs for Scotland for five-day private trip
He is then expected to head over to his Menie golf course in Aberdeenshire before opening up a new course dedicated to his Scottish mother, who grew up on the Isle of Lewis. He will leave the country at some point on Tuesday. His presence will result in a significant operation from Police Scotland and thousands of officers, who are expected to deal with mass protests around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. Mr Trump will be greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he lands, with the minister pledging to give the American leader a 'warm welcome'. READ MORE: He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his stay when the pair will discuss the UK-US trade deal. The US president will also meet with First Minister John Swinney. The SNP leader previously said he would have the opportunity to raise various issues with Mr Trump, including tariffs, Gaza and Ukraine. Speaking ahead of his arrival, Mr Swinney said the global attention the visit will receive provides Scotland with an opportunity to respectfully demonstrate the principles of freedom and justice for all, while also promoting Scotland's tourism sector and economic investment potential. He said: 'Scotland shares a strong friendship with the United States that goes back centuries. 'That partnership remains steadfast through economic, cultural and ancestral links – including of course, with the President himself. 'As we welcome the President of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage. 'This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy. 'It also includes the millions of Americans – many of them potential future tourists or investors in Scotland – who will watch their elected President as he visits our country. 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.'
ITV News
6 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
A75 improvements: Dumfries and Galloway villages could be bypassed as £3m pledged
The UK Government has announced it is giving an extra £3.45m to the Scottish Government to look at improvements to the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway. The Scottish Secretary says it means the UK Government is providing the "full" funding for the feasibility study to consider bypassing two villages on the road. The A75, which is a primary trunk road in Scotland, connects Stranraer and ferry ports at Cairnryan to the M6 and A74(M) at Gretna. It serves as a crucial route for traffic heading between Northern Ireland, England, and the rest of Scotland, particularly for those using the ferries to Northern Ireland. It is largely single-carriageway, which can lead to congestion, and longstanding safety concerns. In 2023, the then Conservative government at Westminster announced it would provide £8m for the research into upgrading the A75. After Labour won the general election, they announced at the Budget in October 2024 they would provide up to £5m towards the study. They say today's funding comes "on top" of that. John Cooper, the Conservative MP for Dumfries and Galloway, wrote on social media: "After a lot of scaremongering from the SNP, the [UK government] confirms what the previous administration committed to." Decisions over transport are devolved to Holyrood, and any work to complete improvements to the road would likely have to come out of the Scottish Government's budget. Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government's transport agency, said they recognise the "strategic importance" of the A75 and have completed six major improvement projects on the road, but face "significant pressures" on their budget for infrastructure. Today's announcement is part of £66m announced by the Chancellor for Scottish transport improvements. The UK Government describes the A75 as a "key road... vital to UK connectivity and growing the economy." On the topic, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: "the A75 is strategically important just not within but beyond Scotland. Its upgrading is long overdue. I am pleased that the UK Government has stepped up to fund the delivery of the A75 feasibility study in full. "This investment is yet another example of how the UK Government is building the foundations for a stronger, more prosperous future that benefits communities right across Scotland." Transport Scotland says: 'The strategic importance of both the A75 and A77 to Scotland's economy is recognised by this Government. We value the critical link they provide to the wider markets in the rest of the UK and Europe by connecting the ports at Cairnryan to the wider trunk road network. 'Ministers have chaired the Convention of South of Scotland discussion on transport, met the Leaders of Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire Councils, had a roundtable discussion with campaigners calling for road improvements to the A75 and A77 in Girvan, and also extended an offer to form a 'South West Scotland Roads – Focus Group'. The purpose of this group is to improve the flow of information with the campaign groups and wider stakeholders, and look at longer term strategic investment for both the A75 and A77. 'In terms of the A75 we have completed six major roads improvement projects with a total value of over £50 million. While the UK Autumn Budget marked a step in the right direction, it does not make up for fourteen years of underinvestment – austerity cannot be undone in one year. We are still facing significant pressures on our capital budget, which is significantly affecting our ability to maintain investment on all of Scotland's transport infrastructure. 'Additionally, we have wasted no time in progressing the design and assessment work to consider options for realigning the A75 trunk road at the villages of Springholm and Crocketford." This comes weeks after campaigners in Dumfries and Galloway expressed frustration that no money was announced for the A75 in the UK Government's spending review. At the time, Springholm and Crocketford residents said this was an opportunity to commit project funding, and were disappointed both the UK Government and the Scottish Government hadn't dedicated money to feasibility study.
Powys County Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Rachel Reeves to pledge £66m for key Scottish transport projects
Rachel Reeves will announce £66 million of funding for transport projects in Scotland – with the Chancellor insisting the cash shows the Labour Government is 'investing in Britain's renewal' after a 'decade of decline' under the Conservatives. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray meanwhile said the money would make a 'real difference to people's daily lives'. The money will go towards projects linked to new investment zones and advanced manufacturing sites supported by the UK Government in Scotland. Three key transport schemes are to benefit, with plans to create direct links between these new economic hubs and local towns in the west of the Scotland. The largest chunk of cash – some £38.7 million – will go to Renfrewshire Council to help link Paisley town centre with both Glasgow Airport and the nearby Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS). As part of this new walking, cycling, bus and car links will be built, allowing local people to benefit from the growth of high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire. Another £23.7 million will go to North Ayrshire Council to upgrade the B714 road, allowing faster travel between the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston and Glasgow, and cutting traffic in Kilwinning. It comes after the Chancellor pledged to find the cash for this work in last month's spending review. In addition the Scottish Government is being given an extra £3.45 million to suggest ways in which the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway can be upgraded. The road there links the port in Cairnryan – where ferries sail to Northern Ireland – with the rest of the UK, and as a result is seen as being vital for both transport connections and the economy. Ms Reeves, who is due to visit Paisley on Friday, said the UK Government was 'pledging billions to back Scottish jobs, industry and renewal'. She added: 'That's why we're investing in the major transport projects, including exploring upgrades to the A75, that local communities have been calling for. 'Whilst previous governments oversaw over a decade of decline of our transport infrastructure, we're investing in Britain's renewal. 'This £66 million investment is exactly what our Plan for Change is about, investing in what matters to you in the places that you live.' Welcoming the cash Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'This £66 million investment in Scotland's roads demonstrates the UK Government's commitment to improving infrastructure and driving economic growth in all parts of the UK as part of our Plan for Change. 'This investment will make a real difference to people's daily lives and to the local economies of the south of Scotland, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.' Mr Murray continued: 'New road links will connect Paisley town centre with Glasgow Airport and the new advanced manufacturing innovation district, to boost high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire. 'The upgrade to the B714 will speed up journeys between Glasgow and the three towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston, as well as cutting traffic in Kilwinning. 'And the A75 is strategically important just not within but beyond Scotland. Its upgrading is long overdue. I am pleased that the UK Government has stepped up to fund the delivery of the A75 feasibility study in full.' Mr Murray said: 'This investment is yet another example of how the UK Government is building the foundations for a stronger, more prosperous future that benefits communities right across Scotland.' However SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said Ms Reeves should take the opportunity to apologise to Scots during her visit. Hitting out at the Chancellor, Mr Stewart said: 'On the week it was confirmed that Scottish energy bills will rise to pay for an English nuclear power plant, the Chancellor has some cheek to pass off old spending commitments as her own. 'Labour think Scotland should be grateful for receiving a share of money we pay to Westminster in taxes. 'Folk need real action on the cost of living under Labour – not reheated commitments that Westminster has already announced. 'Labour promised that everyone's energy bills would be cut by £300 when they came to power. That was a lie. 'Ms Reeves should apologise on behalf of her party for this lie during her trip to Scotland.'
