Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin has today announced a £146 million contract with MBDA to regenerate an air-launched missile, alongside her French counterpart Laurent Collet-Billon. read more
22 Feb 2017
Significant investment in news and programming in Scotland by the BBC has been welcomed by the Scottish Conservatives.
Shadow culture secretary Jackson Carlaw said the additional £20 million injection would provide viewers north of the border with exactly what they wanted, while not jeopardising access to UK-wide programming.
The corporation’s director general, Tony Hall, announced today there would be a new BBC channel for Scotland.
Broadcast every evening, it will have an initial budget of £30 million and carry news and entertainment programmes.
It will also provide the opportunity for journalists and programme-makers in Glasgow to work on wider BBC projects, creating 80 new jobs.
Despite the benefits set out today, SNP MP John Nicolson still found fault with the news, saying the Beeb had “missed an opportunity to deliver for the people of Scotland”.
Scottish Conservative shadow culture secretary Jackson Carlaw said:
“This is an extremely welcome announcement.
“It’s good for jobs, journalism, scrutiny and programming.
“It also ensures those who still prefer the UK-wide BBC news at 6pm, and other programming on BBC1, get to keep that too.
“It’s no surprise, despite this fantastic investment, to see SNP MPs complain about it.
“Only they, with their inherent and serial grievance agenda, could find fault with this.
“The fact Scottish-based journalists will now have a chance to showcase their work elsewhere across the network is also a development which should be applauded.”
read moreDiscussions from the River Thames Scheme group workshops. read more
His visit underlines the UK’s commitment to playing an active and supportive role in the Western Balkans.
During his visit to the Montenegrin capital Podgorica, the Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to the region and Montenegro during his meetings with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Minister for European Affairs. He will spend time with key civil society organisations from Montenegro, and discuss important reforms on corruption, the rule of law and media.
In Macedonia, Sir Alan will meet President Ivanov and the leaders of all political parties represented in the Macedonian Assembly. They will discuss the current political situation, the need for important reforms to enable progress on NATO and EU accession and their plans to build a prosperous and inclusive country. He will also meet members of Macedonia’s civil society, and rule of law institutions focused on the future of Macedonia.
Ahead of the visit, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan said:
The Western Balkans is a key region for the UK. We are committed to playing an active and supportive role. I’m delighted that my visit will build on this by developing opportunities for future cooperation on security, prosperity and reform.
We have long supported both Macedonia and Montenegro on their paths towards EU accession and NATO membership, which will require vital progress on reforms within both countries.
Of course, challenges remain. I am eager to hear from politicians and civil society so we can better understand how the UK can support both countries to be stable, secure and prosperous.
From 22 February 2017 the MMO will be issuing letters to fishermen. read more