Latest news with #Scotland-specific
The National
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Reform UK hiring staff in London to write Holyrood manifesto
The party is hiring more staff in Westminster to look at Scotland-specific policy ahead of next year's election. Reform UK are expected to pick up a number of seats in May, with some polls suggesting the party could even come in second place. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage As reported by the Daily Record, one of the job listings advertised by the party in London is a "Scotland policy advisor". The blurb for the role reads: "Play your part in shaping Scotland's future. Join Britain's fastest-growing political movement. READ MORE: Crown Office cancels court dates for Scottish activists on terror charges 'Reform UK is seeking a proactive, passionate, and detail-oriented Policy Advisor to lead on policy development for Scotland. "You'll help shape bold, evidence-led proposals that will form the backbone of our manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections, and support our wider policy direction across the UK. "This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of a dynamic political movement committed to common-sense reform, national pride, and real change.' According to the job advert, the post will be based in "Westminster, England". There is a second advert for a policy advisor role which involves coming up with policy proposals for the "devolved manifestos", which is also based in "Westminster, England". A press officer job is based in Glasgow which the listing states involves championing the party's 'common-sense policies' on immigration and law and order. Political parties in Scotland have said the listings come as "no surprise", with the SNP arguing that Reform UK know "nothing about what's good for Scotland". SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said: "Decisions for Scotland are best made in Scotland - with the SNP, that's guaranteed. 'Nigel Farage knows nothing about what's good for Scotland. His politics couldn't be more out of touch with the people of Scotland's priorities and values. 'By thinking that policy for Scotland can be dictated from hundreds of miles away in London, Farage is making all the same mistakes that all the other Westminster-based parties have made for decades." READ MORE: Anger as Edinburgh Fringe venue admits to censoring artist's work Gibson added: 'It is only with the full powers of independence that Scotland can finally be free from being told what to do by politicians in London with little understanding of Scotland's needs, values and priorities.' Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: "The last thing Scotland needs is more London-based policy makers who think they know better than everyone who actually lives here. Farage doesn't want to create jobs here in Scotland; instead, he wants to throw our country under the bus to benefit his wealthy friends. Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie 'This comes as no surprise, given the disastrous impact his climate denialism would have on the Scottish economy. 'The Scottish Greens are building a strong future for Scotland, with secure jobs based in Scottish communities, and a vision for that that could not be more different from the racist and hateful agenda of Reform.' READ MORE: Police Scotland refuse to reveal number of pro-Palestine activists arrested And Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: ""It is no great surprise that a party that does not care about Scotland will be dictating their Holyrood manifesto from London. "Despite pretending to be a man of the people, Nigel Farage took a private jet when he visited here ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, which his party went on to lose. "Farage is nothing more than a chancer who thinks he can take the Scottish public for mugs.'
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
The SNP has failed young people when it comes to apprenticeships
Writing in the Daily Record, Labour MP Gregor Poynton says Scottish Labour will make apprenticeships a national mission. Eighty-four thousand. That's how many young people in Scotland are not in education, employment or training today. Each one is a life with potential going untapped. Each one is an opportunity missed. And each one is a damning indictment of the SNP's record after 18 long years in power. These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet – they are our future nurses, builders, engineers, and innovators. Yet the SNP have failed to give them the skills, training, and opportunities they need to get on in life. Nowhere is this failure clearer than in apprenticeships. SNP manifestos since 2016 promised to boost annual Modern Apprenticeship starts to 30,000. Instead, the number of young people starting apprenticeships is actually falling. Even worse, SNP ministers have raided up to £150 million from the apprenticeship budget over the last five years to plug holes elsewhere. That's money stolen from young people's futures. The result? Scotland is haemorrhaging skills. Since 2019, we've lost almost 12,000 construction workers – in the middle of a housing emergency, with over 16,000 households in temporary accommodation. We should be training a new generation to build the homes we desperately need. Instead, the SNP's broken skills system leaves us short-handed. And every time an SNP minister stands up to demand a Scotland-specific visa, or insists we need more skilled workers from abroad, they're making a confession: that they haven't invested in the talent we already have here at home. That's not progressive, and it's not patriotic. It's the deskilling of Scotland's workforce. The SNP love to blame Westminster for their own failings. It's their happy place. But the truth is the Scottish Government has the powers – and the budget – to act. They just lack the will. Last year's UK Labour budget delivered the highest-ever settlement to Holyrood in the history of devolution. The resources are there; the problem is priorities. A government's job is to back its young people, to prepare them for secure work, and to give them a stake in Scotland's future. The SNP have shown, time and again, that they can't and won't. Scottish Labour and Anas Sarwar will. We will make skills and apprenticeships a national mission – so that the next time we count Scotland's young people, we measure their achievements, not the opportunities they've been denied. Gregor Poynton is the Labour MP for Livingston.
Scotsman
14-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scottish shooting generates more than £246 million, reports shows
Scotland's shooting sector delivers more than £246 million in annual natural capital benefits, according to a new report launched by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) at the Scottish Game Fair earlier this month. 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... The Natural Capital Benefits of Shooting report assesses the environmental and public goods generated through land management associated with shooting activities. From carbon storage and habitat creation to biodiversity improvements and public access, the findings highlight the sector's vital role in supporting Scotland's natural environment. Speaking at the launch reception, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP praised the shooting community's contribution to Scotland's natural capital. He acknowledged the importance of the sector's work in helping to deliver environmental outcomes aligned with the country's sustainability goals. Scotland-specific highlights include: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad BASC Scotland director Peter Clark with Jim Fairlie MSP Carbon sequestration: £120.5 million through woodland, peatland and habitat management Public health benefits: £4.6 million via improved mental and physical wellbeing and air quality Recreational value: £92.4 million from participation in shooting and countryside access Food, farming and forestry: £29.3 million through game meat, woodland productivity and crop protection Jim Fairlie MSP told attendees: 'When it comes to natural capital, and investment in restoring and protecting Scotland's natural environment, it is essential that we are able to tackle the nature and climate emergencies at pace and the scale required. If we don't do that then we're going to fall behind. 'The Scottish Government is investing significantly in nature-based solutions and that includes £250 million for a 10-year peatland restoration programme, major funding for woodland creation and strong support through the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) to help us meet our farming and our climate ambitions.' He also underscored the importance of responsible private investment: 'That investment must support nature, climate action and our communities. That's why we've developed the Scottish Natural Capital Market Framework; it sets out clear principles for responsible investment. It ensures investment is high integrity, guards against greenwashing and recognises the intrinsic value of our natural assets.' On BASC's findings, the Minister added: 'This is an important piece of work that shows that shooting contributes more than £246 million in natural capital benefits to the people of Scotland every year.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad BASC Scotland director Peter Clark said: 'The report highlights the measurable environmental returns delivered by shooting-related land management. From carbon capture to healthy rural communities, this is proof that our members are part of the solution to Scotland's nature and climate goals.
The National
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Most people in the UK support sanctions against Israel, new poll finds
The new polling, commissioned by human rights organisation Global Justice Now and carried out by Yonder Consulting, found that 62% of people in the UK would support sanctions being imposed on Israel as a means to exert pressure on it to stop its brutal attacks on Gaza. Just 11% of respondents said they would oppose sanctions. The polling also found that 65% support banning all arms sales to Israel until it ends its assault on Gaza (with 11% in opposition), while 60% would support suspending the existing trade deal between the UK and Israel (with 13% in opposition). READ MORE: POLL: How would you vote in the Hamilton by-election? The poll, which surveyed 2109 UK adults between May 28 and 29, also showed that support for sanctions against Israel is higher in Scotland than the UK as a whole. It found that 66% of people in Scotland support sanctions on Israel (9% oppose), while 66% support a ban on arms sales to Israel (10% oppose), and 61% support a trade deal suspension (12% oppose). The Scotland-specific results are based on the 177 people in Scotland who were surveyed out of the 2109 total. While the UK Government said last month that it was suspending negotiations on a new free trade deal with Israel, its existing trade agreement with Israel is still in place. Despite branding the Israeli government's actions as "egregious", the UK Government sent its trade envoy to Israel just days after the suspension to "promote trade" between the two countries. It was also revealed that the Labour Government licensed exports of more military equipment to Israel in the final three months of 2024 than the Tories did for all of 2020-2023. READ MORE: 'Brave and powerful' documentary on Gaza protests to have Scottish premiere The National also reported how a group of Labour MPs visited Israel on a lobbying trip reportedly just last week, organised by the party's most prominent pro-Israeli group, Labour Friends of Israel. Global Justice Now called on the UK Government to impose sanctions, arguing that it has "a duty to prevent genocide". Tim Bierley, a campaigner with Global Justice Now, said: 'As Israel erases Gaza before our eyes, today's polling makes clear that across all regions, age and income groups, the British public wants our government to take far stronger action against Israel's genocidal attacks. 'Just as the UK has placed comprehensive sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it must urgently exert meaningful pressure on Israel. 'Despite issuing stronger rebukes in recent weeks, the government continues to license key exports for arms used to massacre Palestinians and offer Israel privileged trade terms, as if war crimes should have no effect on business-as-usual. 'Under international law, the UK has a duty to prevent genocide – and any MPs who ignore public sentiment would do well to remember their duty to represent the voice of ordinary people.' The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
One in six UK pupils miss school because of lack of money
The campaign groups calls for the UK government to abolish the two child limit and benefit cap to help tackle the problems, and says that all UK nations should follow Scotland by introduced free public transport for young people. A spokesperson for CPAG Scotland said that although Scottish Government policies are 'making a difference', too many young people are still affected by the cost of the school day. The new report – Priced out of school: how lack of money prevent young people from attending school – has been produced following a survey of 'nationally representative' survey of 1,701 students aged between eleven and eighteen. It highlights issues in areas such as school uniform, food, transport, and school trips as potential drivers of lower attendance. Researchers identified a significant divide when it comes to missing school over transport costs. Around a third of those who missed school for money-related reasons in England and Wales cited transport costs as a factor, but this figure fell to thirteen percent in Scotland. Almost half of those who had missed school due to money problems said that this was down to not having 'the correct uniform or kit.' Problems with branded uniform are highlighted as a particular issue, although recent Scottish Government guidance states that schools in this country 'should not include items such as blazers or other branded outerwear as a compulsory part of their uniform policy.' However, Scottish pupils are still affected by the cost of school uniform. In one of the examples provided in the report, a member of office staff in a Scottish secondary school says: 'We sometimes receive calls to the school to say a certain pupil can't come in today because they maybe only have one uniform and that's in the washing and it's not dry so they'll be off today.' READ MORE A Scottish example is also cited in the section on the cost of school trips, with a secondary student explaining that they are trying to save up to be able to attend a history trip that is 'not going to be less than' £550. Previous Scotland-specific research has highlighted the cost of school trips as a clear barrier for some families. The report's main recommendation is for the UK government to abolish both the two-child limit and the benefit cap. It also includes calls for an expansion in free school meals, increased assistance with the cost of uniform, and for all young people in the UK to have access to free public transport, as is currently the case in Scotland alone. Commenting on the research, Kate Anstey, head of education at Child Poverty Action Group, said: 'Children in poverty aren't getting the real deal at school because they don't have money to participate – or even get to the school gates. 'From not being able to afford meals or uniform to poor mental health, lack of money at home means young people are missing school – effectively priced out of the system. 'Government must do more to support living standards for families so kids aren't locked out of learning – including scrapping the two-child limit and expanding eligibility for free school meals.' John Dickie, Director of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, told The Herald: 'It's clear from this survey that across the UK, including in Scotland, the costs of school are impacting on attendance with inevitable damage to children's education and wellbeing. 'Action by school communities, councils, and the Scottish government to tackle the costs of the school day are making a difference, with for example free bus travel meaning transport is much less of a barrier than in the rest of the UK. 'But too many young people are still saying that the costs of school trips, uniform and meals have affected their attendance at school. 'It can't be right that families financial circumstances are such a barrier to participation, and we need to see action at every level to both boost family incomes and reduce the costs they face at school.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Every child should be able to attend school feeling comfortable, confident, and ready to learn, and we will continue to work with CPAG and other partners to make sure that is the case. The most recent official statistics for 2023-24 showed some welcome improvement in attendance and persistent absence levels, and we are working with Education Scotland and local authorities to identify ways to make further improvements. 'We have increased the School Clothing Grant funding to £14.2 million in 2025-26 to help families that need support with the costs associated with school uniforms, while £8 million has been allocated to local authorities this financial year to support the removal of core curriculum charges. 'Over 230,000 pupils are already receiving free school meals, saving families who take up the offer around £450 per child per year. Work to expand availability to P6-7 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment is underway with COSLA and local authorities, which we estimate will benefit an additional 25,000 pupils. S1-S3 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment in eight local authority areas will also be eligible for free school meals from August. More generally, the Scottish Child Payment will support the families of over 330,000 children in 2025-26 and will keep 40,000 children out of relative poverty this year, according to estimates. 'Nearly half of schools already provide breakfast at the start of the school day and we are providing £3 million to expand access to breakfast clubs, supporting children to get a healthy, nutritious start to their day and helping parents with early drop-off to support employment opportunities.'
