This week's UK Government news

Below is this week's round-up of activity from the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland and UK Government.

Chancellor's Growth Plan: Tax Cuts for 2 Million Scots

The Chancellor today (Friday 23 September) unveiled his Growth Plan to release the huge potential in the UK economy, tackling inflation and delivering higher productivity and wages.??

More than 2.3 million workers in Scotland will see a cut in their National Insurance payments, and tax cuts to income tax and Stamp Duty will see the Scottish Government receive more than ￡600 million over the three-year 2021 Spending Review period.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

“The Chancellor has set out an ambitious package of measures which will cut taxes and drive growth right across the UK. A strong economy is the best way to tackle the cost of living challenges we are all facing due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.?

Our ‘Plan for Growth’ will support households and businesses in Scotland, while driving economic growth to deliver jobs, investment and prosperity. The UK Government is delivering for the people of Scotland when it really matters.”

Nadhim Zahawi to Chair First Islands Forum in Orkney

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, Nadhim Zahawi, will chair the?first Islands Forum in Orkney?on 28 September 2022.

The Forum, which will take place at Orkney Research & Innovation Campus, will ensure island communities are able to discuss solutions to common challenges, with a significant focus for the first meeting on opportunities around net zero.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said:?

"We want to talk with our crucial island communities to understand how best they can flourish?and make the most of the opportunities presented by, for instance, their renewable energy resources...?I look forward to what I am sure will be a highly productive event."

UK Government Next Steps to Boost Domestic Energy Production

The UK Government has today confirmed its support for a?new oil and gas licensing round in the North Sea, expected to be launched by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) in early October.?As well as backing the NSTA’s new licencing round, the moratorium has also been lifted on shale gas production in England.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack?said:?

“The Prime Minister is moving swiftly to ensure the security of our energy supply and exploring the further potential of the North Sea is crucial to this.

“This new round of oil and gas licensing, which is expected to lead to more than 100 new licences, will not only safeguard our domestic supply and protect UK households, businesses and public services from volatile global prices, it will also support more than 70,000 energy sector jobs in Scotland."

Nearly ￡50m Boost for Britain’s Industrial Future

Nearly ￡50 million in UK Government funding is being made available today (23 September 2022) to?help?drive economic growth through the development of fuel switching technology which will see a wide range of industries?reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and slash energy costs.

Phase 1 of the competition saw over ￡500,000 in total awarded to two projects based in Aberdeen: the Intelligent Pipeline Integrity System for Industrial Hydrogen Backbone,?and the Connections technology for Hydrogen pipelines.

Full list of UK-wide projects available?here.?

David Duguid MP Appointed as UK Government Minister for Scotland

David Duguid MP has been appointed as a UK Government Minister for Scotland.

Commenting on his new appointment he said:

"I am honoured to have been appointed as a Scotland Office Minister. I look forward to working with the Scottish Secretary and ministerial colleagues across the UK Government to deliver our ambitious programme for the people of Scotland and the whole UK."

Read his full statement?here.

￡150 Disability Cost of Living Payments

From 20 September?around six million disabled people in the UK will start to receive their one-off ￡150?Disability Cost of Living payment. Those who had confirmed payment of their disability benefit for 25 May will receive the ￡150 automatically, with the vast majority to be paid by early October.

Crack Down on Fraud and Money-laundering

Wide ranging reforms?designed to bear down on kleptocrats, organised criminals and terrorists abusing the UK’s open economy have been introduced to Parliament.

?The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill will strengthen the UK’s reputation as a place where legitimate businesses can thrive while driving dirty money out of the UK. Through the reforms, anyone who registers a company in the UK will need to verify their identity, tackling the use of companies as a front for crime or foreign kleptocrats.

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