31/07/2017

The Pagoda Perspective 31.07.17

 

BREXIT / INDEPENDENCE

  • A No.10 spokesperson has confirmed that UK-EU freedom of movement will end in March 2019.
  • Scottish and Welsh government ministers have met in Cardiff to discuss opposition to UK Brexit legislation. The two administrations have said they cannot recommend consent be given to the EU withdrawal bill.
  • A pro-independence business group, Business for Scotland, has urged the SNP to focus on the economy to boost support for a second referendum.
  • The Scottish Government has called for Scotch whisky to be defined in UK law in order to protect whisky exports after Brexit.

 POLITICS

  • A petition has been lodged to prevent MSPs standing as both list and constituency candidates in Scottish parliamentary elections.

 HEALTH

  • Audit Scotland has criticised the Scottish Government and NHS Health boards for failing to plan effectively for long-term staffing changes.

ECONOMY

  • New data from the Bank of Scotland has shown that the average property in Edinburgh is now worth almost £2,500 per square metre, making it by far the most expensive place to live in Scotland.
  • Royal Bank of Scotland is likely to avoid the compulsory sale of its Williams & Glyn branches by paying out £835 million to help boost competition among its rivals.

ENVIRONMENT

  • According to a new survey by WWF, an increasing number of Scots want to see stronger action on climate change.

TRANSPORT

  • Fare reductions have helped ferry operator CalMac to continue strong growth over the past year with passenger numbers increasing 7.1% between January and May 2017.
  • The Air Departure Tax (Scotland) Act 2017 has now received Royal Assent, paving the way for its introduction in April 2018.

EDUCATION

  • Scotland has seen a “worrying” fall in the number of pupils studying modern languages, with those at Standard Grade level down by 59% over the past decade.
  • Almost 200 head teachers in Scotland run more than one school according to figures obtained under FOI. 

COMING UP

  • Now in their 70th year, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and International Festival begin this week, Friday 4 August.
 

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