Sep122017

Doctors slam SNP over cuts to alcohol and drug funding

Scottish Conservatives
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12 Sep 2017

Sthetoscope

A huge reduction in funding for drug and alcohol support by the Scottish Government has been criticised by doctors.

In a submission to Holyrood’s health committee, the British Medical Association said the 22 per cent cut to alcohol and drug partnerships (ADPs) in last year’s budget was a “false economy”.

It criticised ministers for not restoring the funding in the 2017/18 budget, adding the move “will only increase pressures on the health service and general practice in particular”.

BMA Scotland also told MSPs: “It is hard to see how this decision is compatible with the Scottish Government’s stated priorities in relation to reducing alcohol harm. Funding to ADPs should be restored to 2015/16 levels in the next Scottish budget.”

It emerged following April’s budget that many health boards – including Lanarkshire, Grampian and Fife – would lose hundreds of thousands of pounds in funding for ADPs.

The reduction comes despite the fact Scotland has one of the worst drug death rates in Europe, and around two-and-a-half times that of the UK.

In 2016, there were a record 827 drug-related deaths in Scotland.

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said:

“The BMA is quite right to criticise the SNP over these funding cuts.

“It’s very clearly the wrong thing to do while Scotland battles such major problems with drug and alcohol addiction, among the very worst in Europe.

“Doctors know best when it comes to these matters, and ministers ought to listen.

“It was a mistake for the Scottish Government to cut ADP funding, and now it must reverse those changes.

“If it does not, we risk seeing even more lives wasted in future years because people with drug and alcohol problems simply won’t have the support network they need.”

Sep122017

Huge increase in visitor spending in Wales

Welsh Government

In the 12 months ending July 2017, there were 102 million tourism day visits to Wales, with an associated spend of £4,874 million. The number of visits has increased 11% compared to the 12 months ending July 2016, while the amount spent has increased 51%.

Wales’ performance is particularly strong in the GB context: for GB as a whole, the number of visits has decreased by 1% compared to the 12 months ending July 2016, while the amount spent has increased 5%.

Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure, said: 

“These indications are very positive for 2017. In what is an extremely competitive market place, tourism in Wales is in a strong position and these figures continue to reflect the success we have experienced over the last two years.  

“It’s great news that we’re attracting more visitors to Wales – but that visitors are also spending more while on a day trip – which is a boost to economy.  In addition to this, 87% of respondents in our tourism barometer survey undertaken in June said they were confident about how their business would perform over the summer. 

“We will continue with our campaign work to ensure that we make the most of the opportunities to attract those looking to holiday at home due to the weak pound and give people compelling reasons to visit Wales during the Autumn.”

Sep122017

China’s armed police hold anti-terror exercise in Xinjiang

East Asia

China’s armed police on Tuesday completed an anti-terror exercise in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The exercise, held simultaneously in several locations including Aksu, Kashgar, Urumqi and Yili over the past three and half days, included more than 10,000 people, according to a military statement.

The exercise examined the force’s ability to carry out missions in complicated environments such as in deserts, plateaus and mountainous regions, as well as nighttime operations, it said.