Responding to today’s Conservative manifesto launch, UKIP leader Paul Nuttall said: “It is official. The Tory Party has become almost identical to the Labour Party. They offer no end to mass immigration, no firm Brexit, no end to spending billions … read more
18 May 2017
Secretary of state for Scotland David Mundell has hailed today’s UK Conservative manifesto as a plan “that delivers for Scotland”.
The manifesto provides backing for Scotland’s vital energy sector – including plans to create a world-leading decommissioning industry in the North Sea and a commitment to remote island wind development.
Key announcements include a new Borderlands Growth deal to boost prosperity in the south of Scotland.
And, for Scotland’s capital city, the manifesto commits a future Conservative government to mark the 70th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival by developing a new Edinburgh Concert Hall.
A re-elected Conservative Government will also ensure that one of the offices of the new British Business Bank will be located in Edinburgh.
In addition, the manifesto provides a key pledge for Scottish farmers – with a commitment to ensure the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the parliament.
Secretary of state for Scotland David Mundell said:
“From the Borders to the North Sea, this manifesto delivers for Scotland.
“It shows that a re-elected Conservative government will continue to ensure that Scotland benefits from its membership of the United Kingdom.
“The more Scottish Conservative MPs we elect on Thursday, the more MPs we will have at the heart of Westminster able to deliver even more for Scotland.
“All this is underpinned by the key commitment in today’s manifesto – and that is to say no to the SNP’s reckless plan for a second referendum so Scotland can move on, together.”
Scotland in the UK manifesto
Borderlands Growth Deal (pg. 33)
· “Building on the City and Growth deals we have signed across Scotland, we will bring forward a Borderlands Growth Deal, including all councils on both sides of the border, to help secure prosperity in southern Scotland.”
Support for remote island wind (pg. 22)
· We will “support the development of wind projects in the remote islands of Scotland, where they will directly benefit local communities.”
Protecting farming incomes (pg. 26)
· “We will continue to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the parliament.”
North Sea industry support (pg. 21-22)
· “We will ensure that the sector continues to play a critical role in our economy and domestic energy supply, supporting further investment in the UK’s natural resources. We will continue to support the industry and build on the unprecedented support already provided to the oil and gas sector.”
Scotland at the heart of the industrial strategy (pg. 22)
· “While there are very significant reserves still in the North Sea, it is expected to be the first major oil and gas basin in the world to decommission fully, and we will take advantage of that to support the development of a world-leading decommissioning industry.”
Supporting a new arts venue in Edinburgh (pg. 25)
· “In this 70th Anniversary Year of the Edinburgh Festival we will support the development of the new Edinburgh Concert Hall, reaffirming Edinburgh as the UK’s leading festival city and a cultural beacon around the globe.”
A new British Business Bank branch in Edinburgh (pg. 78)
· We will “open new offices of the British Business Bank in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester and Newport, specialising in the local sector.”
The number of international visits to Wales in 2016 was 1.074 million, and the associated spend was £444 million.
This is the first time since 2008 that Wales has attracted over a million international visits, while these are the highest spend figures ever recorded for Wales.
The news comes as leaders from the tourism industry in Wales and the UK have gathered for a Tourism Summit, organised by Visit Wales, to discuss future trends and challenges for the industry.
The Economy Secretary, Ken Skates, said:
“The tourism Industry in Wales is in very good shape. And the fact that we saw record breaking spend from overseas visitors last year and crossed the million visitors for the first time in 8 years is excellent news. We fully recognise how competitive the market is and the challenges facing the industry. Our future vision – especially in light of the EU Referendum result – is to do more again to build on this sense of confidence and to internationalise our reputation and approach.”
The first of Wales’ themed years was a great success, Visit Wales marketing activity for 2016 generated an additional £370 million for the Welsh economy – which is an 18% increase on 2015. This shows visitors were definitely influenced by Visit Wales marketing before taking a trip to Wales. Today, the Cabinet Secretary announced the continuation of the themed years with a new ‘Year of Discovery’ in 2019 which will build on the three themes of adventure, culture and great outdoors.
The main focus of the Tourism Summit – which took place at the Metropole Llandrindod Wells, and was attended by 150 tourism leaders and speakers, was to discuss how Wales can remain vigilant to new emerging trends and changing market conditions.
Innovative projects are key to future success. Today, the Cabinet Secretary announced that £2 million had been approved for a total of 38 projects across Wales under the Tourism Product Innovation Fund and Regional Tourism Engagement Fund. This funding will enable the private and public sectors to develop innovative projects that will stimulate demand and improve the visitor offer through supporting the Year of Legends campaign while also looking forward to the Year of the Sea.
The Economy Secretary also announced another innovative project which will be launched to visitors at the end of the Year of Legends. ‘The Wales Way’ will be a new world class family of tourism routes. The Economy Secretary, said:
“Although the routes will be centred around core road networks – which I can confirm will include the A55 Cultural Corridor to the north, the A487 to the west, and the A470 through the heart of Wales – they will be much more than driving routes. They will celebrate various modes of transport, encouraging visitors to discover hidden gems and immerse themselves in local experiences, providing the ‘glue’ that draws together and amplifies our existing tourism offer.”
A period of engagement with key regional and local industry partners and stakeholders will take place over the next few months to ensure that each route represents the very best of the regions.
read more[unable to retrieve full-text content]Introductory webinar recording about the basics of CICs. read more
Each secondary school and their cluster primaries will have an identified school nurse and associated health team with a variety of skills, who will be accessible for support and advice as children progress through their education both within and outside term time.
The new School Nursing Framework is designed to ensure young people receive consistent expert support from a healthcare professional who is familiar with their health and wellbeing needs. The framework provides commitment to a seamless service for health and lifestyle support and advice to all families from birth, provided by midwifery services, through to health visiting and onto school nursing.
School nurses will provide and coordinate health intervention and public health programmes on a range of issues, including:
“We want to do everything we can to ensure the health and well being of all children in Wales.
“School nurses make an important contribution to the healthy development of a child and I am pleased that that every child in Wales will now have a dedicated school nurse throughout their time at school to ensure that their health and emotional needs are met.”
“Happy, healthy children are much more likely to achieve their full potential and grow up to be healthy adults. Investing in our young people is investing in our future.”
Education Secretary Kirsty Williams said:
“We want to ensure pupils are aware of what school nurses can do for them and how to find them, to make it easier for children to use the school nursing service and get good advice on their health.
read more“It’s important to emphasise that school nurses are not just responsible for first aid; they’re planning and coordinating care for learners with chronic health needs so they can participate in school. They are also facilitators and advocates for lots of children.
“School nursing has to be viewed as further investment in students. Healthy students learn better. School nurses are partners to make sure that happens.”