Scotland-Europe lobbying network to close after funding pulled
The lobbying outfit has been backed by Scottish Enterprise for 33 years, but will now no longer receive funding from March 2026.
Stephen Boyd, director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Scotland, said on LinkedIn he was 'gutted and angry' at the news, adding that Scotland will lose a 'massive presence' in the European Union (EU).
READ MORE: Word cloud exposes what people really think of Labour after 1 year
John Edward, former EU policy manager at Scotland Europa and LibDem European Parliament candidate, said that the 'sacrifice of 33 years of experience, reputation and contacts will be keenly felt'.
Scottish Enterprise confirmed the funding cut was part of efforts to 'maximise efficiencies and align resources to transformational projects'. They added that engagement with member states would continue through the network of international offices.
Boyd, IPPR Scotland boss, said: 'Gutted and angry to hear that Scotland Europa is to close after Scottish Enterprise withdrew funding.
'What will be the result? Fewer connections between Scotland, Europe's institutions and EU member states. Fewer relationships built between Scottish individuals, educational institutions, private firms, third sector organisations and their European counterparts.'
He claimed it would mean a Scottish economy 'increasingly disconnected from its European partners'.
'Scotland will lose a massive presence in the Brussels policy community; a community within which Scotland Europa is hugely admired and emulated,' Boyd added.
'It's a truly bizarre state of affairs when, on a daily basis, the Scottish Government vents its frustration over the ongoing damage being inflicted by Brexit whilst simultaneously running down Scotland's capacity, networks and influence in Brussels.'
Elsewhere, Edward, who is currently head of operations at the Scottish Council on Global Affairs, said: 'I have no doubt that the Scottish Government will wish to continue its presence in Brussels, albeit on a smaller footprint with very specific responsibilities.
'That does not diminish the loss of a 'one-stop shop' for Scottish non-governmental interests, plugged in to the national and regional representations in Brussels and thereby beyond, not to mention the hundreds of commercial policy interests on the ground within what is Europe's 'beltway'.'
Edward worked for Scotland Europa for six years, between 1996 and 2001. He added: 'Just as the Horizon programme restarting within the UK, and very modest progress is being made on reducing the new barriers to trade and cooperation, the sacrifice of 33 years of experience, reputation and contacts will be keenly felt'.
READ MORE: Jeremy Corbyn confirms launch of new party - read the full statement
A spokesperson for Scottish Enterprise confirmed the funding cut, telling The National: 'As part of our ongoing efforts to maximise efficiencies and align resources to transformational projects we have decided to cease our funding for Scotland Europa.
'We remain committed to furthering Scotland's trade, investment and collaboration in the EU and will continue our engagement through our network of international offices which currently spans eight member states.
'We will work in partnership with the Scottish Government to maintain an ongoing and meaningful 'Team Scotland' presence in Brussels.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
a minute ago
- Reuters
Trump, EU's von der Leyen meet to clinch trade deal, rating chances 50-50
TURNBERRY, Scotland, July 27 (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to clinch a trade deal that would likely result in a 15% tariff on most EU goods, but end months of uncertainty for European Union companies. U.S. and EU negotiators huddled in final talks on tariffs facing crucial sectors like cars, steel, aluminium and pharmaceuticals before the meeting began at Trump's golf course in Turnberry, western Scotland. Trump, who had earlier played a round with his son, told reporters as he met von der Leyen that he wanted to correct a trading arrangement he said was "very unfair to the United States" and repeated his comments from Friday that the chances of a U.S-EU deal were 50-50, a view echoed by von der Leyen. "We have three or four sticking points I'd rather not get into. The main sticking point is fairness," he said insisting the EU had to open up to American products. Von der Leyen acknowledged there was a need for "rebalancing" EU-U.S. trade. "We have a surplus, the United States has a deficit and we have to rebalance it... we will make it more sustainable," she said. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who flew to Scotland on Saturday, told "Fox News Sunday" that the EU needed to open its markets for more U.S. exports to convince Trump to reduce a threatened 30% tariff rate that is due to kick in on August 1. "The question is, do they offer President Trump a good enough deal that is worth it for him to step off of the 30% tariffs that he set," Lutnick said, adding that the EU clearly wanted - and needed - to reach an agreement. A separate U.S. administration official was upbeat that a deal was possible. "We're cautiously optimistic that there will be a deal reached," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "But it's not over till it's over." The EU deal would be a huge prize, given that the U.S. and EU are each other's largest trading partners by far and account for a third of global trade in goods and services. Ambassadors of EU governments, on a weekend trip to Greenland organised by the Danish presidency of the EU, held a teleconference with EU Commission officials on Sunday to agree on the amount of leeway von der Leyen would have. In case there is no deal and the U.S. imposes 30% tariffs from August 1, the EU has prepared counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros ($109 billion) of U.S. goods. EU diplomats have said a deal would likely include a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the U.S., mirroring the U.S.-Japan trade deal, along with a 50% tariff on European steel and aluminium for which there could be export quotas. EU officials are hopeful that a 15% baseline tariff would also apply to cars, replacing the current 27.5% auto tariff. Some expect the 27-nation bloc may be able to secure exemptions from the 15% baseline tariff for its aerospace industry and for spirits, though probably not for wine. The EU could also pledge to buy more liquefied natural gas from the U.S., a long-standing offer, and boost investment in the United States. Trump told reporters there was "not a lot" of wiggle room on the 50% tariffs that the U.S. has on steel and aluminium imports, adding, "because if I do it for one, I have to do it for all." The U.S. president, in Scotland for a few days of golfing and bilateral meetings, said a deal with the EU should draw to a close discussions on tariffs, but also said pharmaceuticals, for which the United States is looking into new tariffs, would not be part of a deal. The EU now faces U.S. tariffs on more than 70% of its exports, with 50% on steel and aluminium, an extra 25% on cars and car parts on top of the existing 2.5% and a 10% levy on most other EU goods. EU officials have said a "no-deal" tariff rate of 30% would wipe out whole chunks of transatlantic commerce. A 15% tariff on most EU goods would remove uncertainty but would be seen by many in Europe as a poor outcome compared to the initial European ambition of a zero-for-zero tariff deal on all industrial goods. Seeking to learn from Japan, which secured a 15% baseline tariff with the U.S. in a deal almost a week ago, EU negotiators spoke to their Japanese counterparts in preparation for Sunday's meeting. For Trump, aiming to reorder the global economy and reduce decades-old U.S. trade deficits, a deal with the EU would be the biggest trade agreement, surpassing the $550 billion deal with Japan. So far, he has reeled in agreements with Britain, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam, although his administration has failed to deliver on a promise of "90 deals in 90 days."
Scottish Sun
31 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Man becomes first Donald Trump protester arrested over ‘offensive sign' during President's visit to Scotland
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) POLICE arrested a man for alleged abusive behaviour moments after Donald Trump arrived in Scotland on Friday. The US President, 79, touched down at Prestwick Airport aboard Air Force One at around 8.30pm for his five-day private visit. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A man became the first Donald Trump protester to be arrested over an 'offensive sign' Credit: Getty 4 He was nicked by cops moments after the US President arrived in Scotland Credit: EPA 4 It happened while hundreds flocked to the Mound to watch Air Force One land at Prestwick Airport Credit: AP Mr Trump eventually surfaced at 8.40pm at the door of the aircraft, waving to the crowds, and was then welcomed by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray. The Republican chief was then whisked to his luxury Turnberry resort 20 miles down the Ayrshire coast, where he has been spotted playing golf over the weekend. But moments after Mr Trump's specially customised Boeing 747-200B jets landed, police arrested a man for alleged abusive behaviour. The man, aged 20, was next to the military airport in Ayrshire where Air Force One landed, holding a large sign. Witnesses have claimed that the writing on the placard had an offensive slur on it that was directed at Mr Trump. It is understood that the alleged incident unfolded in the Mound viewing point, which is close to Prestwick Airport. This is where a large crowd of people gathered to catch the iconic aircraft landing. A large number of officers were in the area at the time. One local said they heard a shout moments after the aircraft landed on the tarmac and saw police put the man in handcuffs. They added: "It all happened really quickly". Donald Trump tees off at luxury Turnberry course during Scots visit Officers confirmed that the man was arrested "for abusive behaviour and refusing to stop". They also issued him with a recorded police warning. Hundreds of Scots gathered to watch as the president of the free world arrived on Friday. Mr Trump spoke to members of the media after disembarking the plane, and hailed 007 legend Sir Sean Connery for helping him build his golf courses. He wasted no time in name-dropping the acting legend as he stepped off the flight from the States. Mr Trump said Connery, from Edinburgh, helped him get the permits for the two courses at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire that he will visit this week. The new course will be named after his mother, Mary MacLeod, who was born and raised on the Isle of Lewis. He said: 'There's no place like Turnberry. It's the best course in the world. 'My son is going to cut a ribbon for the second course in Aberdeen. 'We love you, Trump' DONALD Trump was seen blowing kisses to to supporters this morning as he teed off for a second round of golf at his luxury Turnberry resort. Three hardy Trump fans from Liverpool gathered on the dunes near the course today and shouted 'We Love you Trump' as he left the third green. Kay English, 38, said she and hubby Tom had travelled from England to show the President that he was loved by people in the UK. The pair wore 'Make England Great Again' caps modelled on the MAGA design and waved a Stars and Stripes. They held up a crude banner mocking Sir Keir Starmer which Mr Trump tried to read from the course. Kay said: "I shouted 'We love you, Trump' because I want him to realise those protests against him are the minority. "I was so happy that he blew me a kiss. I like him because he stands for the people, unlike our politicians." Mr Trump began his round around 10.45am with an entourage of 27 golf buggies following on behind him. The President was also joined by his son Eric again this morning on the Ailsa course. His other son Donald Trump Jr was also spotted on the course. The President always played first but appeared to be struggling with the brisk wind. He had to play out of a bunker on the fourth but was able to pitch from the sand in one shot. 'Sean Connery helped get me the permits, if it wasn't for Sean Connery we wouldn't have those great courses.' Despite the arrest, many Trump fans descended on the spot close to the runway from Friday morning to wait for his arrival. One supporter waved a Make America Great Again flag, while another man wore a cap with the tongue-in-cheek message Scotland Is Already Great emblazoned on it. Some youngsters were also seen sporting Mr Trump's signature red MAGA hat. The airport area was under heavy security, with scores of cops keeping a close eye on the crowds. Police snipers also stood watch on Prestwick's air traffic control tower and a scaffold platform close to where the Commander in Chief disembarked the iconic modified Boeing 747. Mr Trump's visit is expected to last until Tuesday, July 29. The President is also scheduled to meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his trip. A massive £5million security operation has been rolled out to ensure his safety, with around 6,000 police officers drafted in from across the UK to support the efforts. We previously told how police and security services assessed fears that Mr Trump could be assassinated during his visit to Scotland after he survived an attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania last year. David Threadgold, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said "a huge amount of threat assessment and intelligence gathering' took place ahead of the visit.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Romanian deputy PM resigns after bribery case resurfaces
BUCHAREST, July 27 (Reuters) - Romanian deputy prime minister Dragos Anastasiu resigned on Sunday after an old corruption scandal in which he was involved as a witness resurfaced at a time when the one-month-old coalition government is trying to enforce cost-cutting reforms. Anastasiu had been tasked by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan with overseeing the reform of state-owned companies, part of broader efforts to reduce the largest budget deficit in the European Union and root out waste and inefficiency. Last week, an old corruption case revealed that one of Anastasiu's firms had been blackmailed by a tax authority inspector into paying bribes disguised as consultancy fees for eight years from 2009 or risk lengthy inspections. The company later denounced the inspector, who was convicted in 2023. Anastasiu and his business partner were never charged with a crime. Anastasiu said his company had paid all its taxes and the bribes were "for survival, not profit". "I encourage every entrepreneur to speak out and say under what conditions business has been done in Romania and no longer accept what we did while making mistakes," he told reporters on Sunday. The government, which will hike several taxes from August and is laying off staff and cutting bonuses, has already faced several street protests but has narrowly avoided a ratings downgrade from the lowest rung of investment grade. The European Union and NATO state has been rocked by political instability in the wake of a presidential election, which was cancelled in December and re-run in May, with market turmoil boosting borrowing costs and crashing the leu currency.
