13/02/2017

The Pagoda Perspective 13.02.2017

 

BREXIT / INDEPENENCE

  • Former First Minister, Alex Salmond, has indicated a decision on whether to hold a new independence referendum could come within weeks, suggesting a possible autumn 2018 referendum.
  • A new poll, commissioned by the Labour Party, shows that only one in five Scots back the creation of a separate currency for an independent Scotland , and that Brexit is a more important issue to Scots than independence.

PARTY CONFERENCE SEASON

  • Labour is to bring forward a motion at the party’s conference later this month which will call for the UK to adopt a “progressive federal structure” in the UK.

ECONOMY

  • The Financial Technology (Fintech) sector continues its rise as ‘the next big thing’, with RBS announcing a new Fintech hub based at its Gogarburn headquarters.

FOOD/DRINK

  • The new agreement between the EU and Canada risks harming iconic British food brands as it is understood UK ministers failed to add any to the free trade deal.
  • Following last week’s lettuce shortage story, industry experts are forewarning an olive oil shortage this year.

HEALTH

  • A Panelbase poll this weekend found 53 per cent of Scots supported reducing free universal benefits such as university tuition and elderly care.

TRANSPORT

  • Scotrail has warned the Scottish Governments plans to merge British Transport Police functions into Police Scotland could lead to delays on the network.

ENVIRONMENT

  • Green MSPs are to push to extend 20mph speeds limits across the country. This comes after a “patchwork” of 20 Zones has caused confusion in Edinburgh.

EDUCATION

  • The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has announced further education lecturers are ready to strike over lack of progress on a pay deal.

COMING UP

  • Parliaments at Westminster and Holyrood are in recess this week.
  • The Scottish Government is to launch the ‘Future Me’ campaign. This encourages parents or guardians to talk about their dreams, and hopes to improve literacy and numeracy skills.
 

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