The Week in Review: 29 Feb – 6 March

by the SNP
Posted on
5 years ago
3 min read

This week the SNP passed a new Scottish budget, and have raised concerns over the UK’s new migration plans. Here’s a roundup of all the latest news.

📍 On Saturday it was revealed one the of the UK Government’s most senior advisers had said the UK does not need its farming or fishing industries. The SNP’s Richard Lochhead highlighted the risk of history repeating itself, with Scottish industries being seen as “expendable”.

📍 On Sunday First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set out how she would be joining an emergency COBRA meeting, after the first case of the coronavirus was confirmed in Scotland.

📍 On Monday Nicola Sturgeon held a press conference to provide an update on measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The Scottish Government said it was preparing for a ‘reasonable worst case scenario’, but that all figures should be seen within the appropriate context.

📍 A report published on Tuesday set out how Scotland could keep freedom of movement post-Brexit. SNP MP Stuart McDonald said the report put “flesh on the bones” on what the SNP has been calling for to address Scotland’s unique migration needs.

📍 We also saw international praise for some of the SNP’s key policies. Comedian Trevor Noah praised Scotland’s approach to free period products. Elsewhere, US Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders praised our progressive work policies.

📍 On Wednesday the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford highlighted the need for protections for those effected by the spread of coronavirus.

📍 Later, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote about the SNP Government’s new Scottish budget, designed to give stability to the economy.

📍 At First Minister’s Questions, Nicola Sturgeon responded to worrying claims that a UK Treasury advisor has referred to the farming and fishing industries as “low value”.

📍 On Friday the Scottish Government minister for Public Finance and Migration, Ben MacPherson MSP, met with businesses to discuss concern about the UK Government’s immigration proposals. The proposals would disproportionately effect Scottish industries and interests.