Latest news with #KaukabStewart
Edinburgh Reporter
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Government announces funding for Ukrainian communities
The latest wave of funding packages was announced by The Scottish Government today with more than £600,000 will support third sector organisations working to support displaced Ukrainians, including community and cultural activities, while a further £3.5m funding for local authorities and COSLA will support displaced Ukrainians, as well as refugees and people seeking asylum, to settle into communities. The monies are intended to support Ukrainian communities and culture in Scotland to flourish as announced by Equalities Minister, Kaukab Stewart. The funding was announced at an event hosted by COSLA, marking a visit to Scotland by a civic delegation of mayors from Ukraine. The Edinburgh branch of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB)has been awarded funding of £46,786.58. Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk, Chair of the AUGB said: 'The funding we receive from the Scottish Government has been absolutely invaluable. We couldn't have provided the level of support our new Ukrainian community needs without it. Thanks to this ongoing support, we're able to employ a dedicated staff team at the Ukrainian Community Centre seven days a week, offering vital social, cultural, and emotional assistance. Over the last three financial years, this consistent funding has enabled us to build a trusted, safe haven where the community feels welcomed and supported.' The community centre hosts English lessons, choirs, dance troops, teens clubs, coffee mornings, advice/information sessions, knitting clubs, art sessions, cooking together, and community meals and is a safe space for all Ukrainians. Speaking ahead of the event, Ms Stewart said: 'Scotland stands in unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, as it has since Russia's illegal invasion in 2022. More than 28,000 displaced Ukrainians with a Scottish-sponsored visa have arrived in the UK, and we are helping people rebuild their lives here. 'Many of those who left Ukraine shortly after the war outbreak have now been in Scotland for several years, forming thriving Ukrainian communities right across the country. We want those communities to flourish, and this funding will support cultural and social activities and events to strengthen. It will also support services to help people recover from the trauma of fleeing war. 'I'm very pleased to be announcing this funding at the same time as a visit from the Ukrainian rebirth delegation, and I look forward to exploring further opportunities for connection and partnership between Scotland and Ukraine.' COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson Councillor Maureen Chalmers said: 'COSLA is so very pleased to welcome colleagues from Local Government in Ukraine to Verity House today. We are also delighted to be working with Scottish Government to host this event, coming together to show our commitment across government in Scotland. 'COSLA has expressed full support and solidarity to the Ukrainian people and our peers in local and regional government, standing ready to support those affected and play a very active part in Ukrainian refugee resettlement. 'COSLA welcomes Scottish Government's announcement of the continuation of £3.4m resettlement funding for Local Authorities for 2025-26. This funding will play an important role in enabling councils' ongoing work supporting the integration of Ukrainians fleeing Russia's illegal war, as well as other people seeking protection in this country. 'We are also very grateful for confirmation of continued funding for COSLA to support the work that we do with our member councils and with Scottish Government in relation to the integration of people displaced from Ukraine, as well as others who are seeking sanctuary here and migrants who are at risk of destitution.' Scotland stands in solidarity with Ukraine. More than 28000 displaced Ukrainians with a Scottish-sponsored visa have arrived in the UK. Speaking at a @COSLA event Equalities Minister @kaukabstewart announced funding to help Ukrainian communities flourish. — Scot Gov Fairer (@ScotGovFairer) May 27, 2025 A honour to co-host with the Minister for Equalities @kaukabstewart @COSLA a delegation of LG Leaders from across Ukraine. Thanks to @Edinburgh_CC and @AUGBEdinburgh for their contributions today. Ukrainian Mayors are playing a fundamental role in preserving democratic governance — Shona Morrison (@MorayShona) May 27, 2025 Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Jamie Greene challenges ministers on conversion therapy ban
It comes after equalities minister Kaukab Stewart recently announced legislation was being delayed, saying the Scottish Government is working with Westminster on a possible UK-wide ban on such practices – which seek to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or identity. However she said earlier this month 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'. Mr Greene however has written to Ms Stewart demanding the Scottish Government acts now, adding that if SNP ministers do not they should 'give the Bill to me and I will introduce it'. As such he insisted the 'only blockage' to a Bill coming forward now 'is the Scottish Government'. READ MORE: The MSP, who recently defected to the Liberal Democrats from the Tories, said while it may be 'politically unappealing' to bring forward legislation on the subject in the run-up to the 2026 Scottish election, a commitment had been made. Mr Greene said: 'All political parties promised to back change in the law in their 2021 Holyrood manifestos. The SNP made an explicit promise if they got into government to introduce this Bill and haven't.' He added it is 'no wonder political parties were banned from taking part in this year's Pride events' – noting 'organisers say they are sick of warm words of encouragement to the LGBT+ community and want action'. Mr Greene continued: 'It might be politically unappealing in an election year to have difficult conversations and debates of this nature, but backing down from promises and shying away from the argument is an insult to those affected by this abhorrent practice. 'I've made a simple offer to the SNP Government – introduce the legislation this year, and if you can't, or won't, give the Bill to me and I will introduce it.' A commitment to bring forward legislation to end conversion practices had also been included in the SNP's powersharing agreement with the Scottish Greens – however the deal ended before any Bill on this was introduced. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to protecting LGBTQI+ communities from the harm caused by conversion practices. 'We are continuing to work with the UK Government to fully explore legislation to ban conversion practices that would cover England, Wales and Scotland. 'We have been clear that if their Bill does not meet our priorities or does not go far enough, then we intend to publish our own Bill in the first year of the next parliamentary session. We will engage with key stakeholders as we take this work forward.'
The National
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Is this why the SNP have dropped their conversion therapy ban?
While ministers are set to work with Westminster on UK-wide plans for a ban - there is no concrete timeline for when a bill could appear in the House of Commons. Kaukab Stewart, Scotland's Equalities Minister, alluded to this in her statement on Friday, caveating that if the 'collaborative approach' fails, the Scottish Government will publish its own legislation 'in year one of the next parliamentary session'. READ MORE: Scotland urged to 'take lead' on investigating Donald Trump's finances The unspoken part of this being - after the Holyrood 2026 election, and if the SNP win enough seats to form a government to take it forward. Furious campaigners have accused the Scottish Government of "running scared" of bringing in a full ban. Plans to publish a stand-alone misogyny bill were also dropped, with Parliamentary Business Minister Jamie Hepburn pointing to the implications of the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman. Issues, arguably, that would have caused contention with the largely anti-transgender UK and Scottish press. It is the latest move from the Scottish Government under John Swinney away from Nicola Sturgeon's rights-focused policy agenda. (Image: PA) In January 2024, when the Scottish Government published the consultation responses to a ban on conversion practices, officials held an on-the-record briefing with journalists. The questions were predictable - would a parent who tried to stop their child from using chest binders be committing a crime? Would it be an offence for a parent to refuse to allow their child to take puberty blockers (now banned after the Cass Review) if it caused the child psychological stress? Would a parent who stopped their child from dressing as the opposite gender in public be jailed? READ MORE: John Curtice: 'Little prospect' of Scots electing a Unionist leader This was a key talking point for right-wing outlets, like GB News, among others. For Women Scotland (FWS) also made the claim that parents would be criminalised for 'refusing to sign up to the gender ideology cult'. 'It's not just kind of a brief moment of somebody saying that they were upset,' one official said in response. 'It's significant harm.' There was little, if any regard, LGBT+ Scots who have been, or will be, forced to endure conversion practices that the ban sought to stop. And, top pollster John Curtice previously told The National that Swinney won't 'want to reignite the fires within his party' ahead of the Holyrood 2026 election.
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.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scottish government drops plans for new misogyny law
The Scottish government has confirmed it will not bring forward planned legislation to criminalise misogyny before next year's Holyrood election. A bill has long been promised to improve protections for women and girls, but ministers now say there is not enough time to draw up a law which reflects the recent Supreme Court judgement on the definition of a woman. They are instead going to amend existing hate crime legislation to provide protections on the basis of sex. The government has also confirmed it will not be bringing forward legislation to end conversion therapy this term, and is hoping for a UK-wide solution. A new misogyny law was promised after an expert group in 2022 backed separate legislation rather than incorporating abuse and violence against women into Scotland's hate crime law. The group, led by Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, said this was a better option because women are not a minority, and a "more fundamental set of responses" were required to address the "deeply rooted" problem. The Scottish government proposed creating five new offences in its Misogyny Bill including stirring up hatred against women and misogynistic harassment. Misogyny would also be treated as an aggravating factor in crimes, which could lead to tougher sentencing. QC shocked by level of misogyny in Scotland Why are women not protected by new hate crime law? The Scottish government said it remained committed to ensuring people are protected from misogynistic abuse but it was a "complex area of policy and law" which required more time to work out where it would apply. This would include assessing the implications of the recent Supreme Court judgement that a woman is defined by biological sex for the purposes of equality legislation, it said. It said there was insufficient time to proceed with the misogyny bill in this parliamentary session, but in September it would add the protected characteristic of sex to Scotland's hate crime act. The government said it was also dropping plans for a new law banning conversion therapy for sexual orientation or gender identity. Ministers previously said Scotland wanted to lead the way in outlawing such practices - but it has now urged the Labour government at Westminster to legislate on the issue. Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said if an approach covering Scotland, England and Wales could not be agreed, the Scottish government would introduce its own law within a year if it remained in power after next year's Holyrood election. Publishing this news in a written question on a Friday morning after elections down south is a classic attempt from the Scottish government to bury some bad news. In fairness, it is true to say that drawing up complicated legislation before the ink is even dry on a relevant Supreme Court's ruling would be a challenge in the remaining year of the Holyrood term. But a bill can pass in a matter of days if the political will is there. And women's groups are already deeply suspicious of the government, given it has spent the last few years engaged in court battle with campaigners about fundamental definitions. Ministers will point to the move to beef up hate crime law as evidence they are taking action on behalf of women and girls - despite the fact they were originally omitted from that bill with the promise of bespoke legislation. The point of this move is to get some awkward issues out of the way before John Swinney makes his programme for government speech next week about what he is planning on doing for the rest of the Holyrood term. But for all he is keen to get away from spiky debates around gender politics - and you can read the shelving of the conversion therapy ban as part of that too - he is still going to face plenty of questions about this. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton MSP said the misogyny bill was the latest in a "litany of paused, ditched or botched" policies from Nicola Sturgeon's time as first minister. She said: "Misogyny remains a serious problem and it's crucial that women and girls are protected from all forms of threatening and abusive behaviour in a way that safeguards their rights." The Scottish Greens said dropping the two bills was a "shameful backward step" and accused ministers of kicking them "into the long grass". The party's qualities spokesperson Maggie Chapman said: "The misogyny bill was a vital step in ensuring that reports of harassment and assault are taken seriously. "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." Both pieces of legislation were part of the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens which ended in April last year. A joint statement from Scottish LGBTQIA+ organisations said they were "incredibly disappointed" to see an end to conversion practices would not proceed - and that the community had felt rights were being "rolled back and reduced" for a long time. The statement said: "Simply put, the longer it takes to legislate to end conversion practices the more harm will be done, including to those most vulnerable. "The failure to progress this bill is yet another blow to our community's faith in government and the institutions that are meant to represent and protect us."
