FIFE MSP TAKES LEAD ON MIGRATION IN SCOTLAND’S COVID PANDEMIC FIGHT

Published date : 23 Dec 2020

Jenny Gilruth MSP to work on tackling demographic challenge to Scotland’s economy and society

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has increased Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP Jenny Gilruth’s ministerial responsibilities to include migration as part of a range of new appointments at a crucial time for the nation.

The local MSP was appointed as the Scottish Government’s Minister for Europe and International Development in February this year and has since been working closely with the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Michael Russell MSP, to protect Scotland’s interest from a hard Tory Brexit.

The MSP has also launched a government review of Scotland’s international aid spending to ensure that every penny reaches those most in need in Scotland’s partner countries, including Malawi and Rwanda, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In November, the Scottish Government announced £2 million of additional funding to help partner countries in the fight against Covid-19 in the same week that the UK Government pressed ahead with an appalling cut to overseas aid.

When First Minister Nicola Sturgeon appointed Jenny as a minister in February said she had “used her experience as a teacher to inform, for the better, many a debate in Parliament” and reflected that Jenny “has also been—I am sure that she will continue to be—a true champion of her constituency”.

Speaking after making a number of ministerial appointments this week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“At a crucial time for Scotland, these new appointments ensure that we have a ministerial team fully focused on tackling the many important challenges facing us.

“With responsibility for migration, Jenny Gilruth will be working to tackle the demographic challenge threatening to undermine our economy and our society, and Ivan McKee will assist Kate Forbes in supporting firms through the pandemic, ensuring Scottish Government procurement backs Scottish business and in preparing our Budget early in the new year.”

Jenny Gilruth MSP said:

“I have been privileged to serve in the Scottish Government since February as the Minister for Europe and International Development. I welcome the extra responsibility to look at how we encourage migration to Scotland to promote economic growth and delivery of public services at a time of global challenge during Covid-19 and the a hard Tory Brexit that we didn’t vote for.

“Locally, I have done a lot of work to ensure that my European constituents know that Fife and Scotland remains their home after Brexit and that their contribution to our local communities is valued. In government, I will strive to ensure that Scotland remains a welcoming and inclusive nation and we value everyone, no matter where they were born, who has chosen to make Scotland their home.”

ENDS

For more information on this week’s ministerial appointments: www.gov.scot/news/ministerial-appointments-support-fight-against-pandemic/

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