Opposition groups query Lancashire County Council's 'Doge' review
'Disappointing'
Opposition group leader, Independent councillor Azhar Ali, said he would meet chief executive Mark Wynn to discuss his concerns about how any Doge visit would sit with the local authority's GDPR obligations.Ali said: "People call it Doge - I call it dodgy, there's no structure to it."I just think this is a way of deflecting from the difficult decisions that the new Reform administration needs to make."No date for when the Doge team will arrive at County Hall in Preston has been set, something the Conservative group leader Aidy Riggott said was "disappointing"."We are now almost 12 weeks on from the elections and... the county council still hasn't provide any update or shared any communication with councillors as to how this process might work, or what safeguards are in place."Rigott said that while he would welcome Doge's visit, it was "highly unlikely" that the team would uncover "any scandal or ridiculous waste of taxpayers' money".But Reform UK's Evans said: "We've already found £500m government bonds bought by the last administration that are only worth £120m - we are finding out quite a lot."
'Finding waste'
The leader of the council's Labour group, Mark Clifford, also expressed concerns about how sensitive data could be accessed and used by the Doge team."Where will this information end up? These entrepreneurs [who are part of Doge] are saying they're going to do it for free."Does that mean that they are never going to sell any of the information on, they're never going to apply for a contract at any council in the UK in future?"Evans said many people "get Doge all wrong - they think it's all about cutting - it's really not, it's about finding waste, and redirecting that to the front line".But Ali said: "If there is waste, they've got 53 councillors who have time on their hands, who can come in and start going through the books, this is a waste of time."The BBC has approached Reform UK's national headquarters for comment.
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Mark Rosenberg | Supplied Ask a Scot to name their finest food and drink export and you're likely to spark a fierce debate, says Mark Rosenberg, Chief Commercial Officer, Ports & Terminals, at DP World Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Whatever their preference, everyone can agree that the sector is a phenomenal global success story. The numbers speak for themselves. Last year, Scotland's food and drink exports were valued at £7.1 billion. That's up from £4.9bn in 2014, an increase of roughly 46 per cent over the past decade. This is driven by a strong appetite for its premium produce, such as Scottish salmon which had shipments topping £844 million in 2024. More than a key contributor to the UK economy, Scotland's food and drink industry has become a global benchmark for excellence. However, despite extraordinary market growth, exporters are not immune from trade challenges. Post-Brexit border friction, fluctuating global tariffs and shifting consumer expectations have all made the operating environment increasingly volatile in recent years. The good news is that new trade opportunities are opening routes to growth at a critical moment. Most notably, the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which was signed yesterday (24 July). By cutting levies on 90 per cent of the produce from Scottish exporters - and those elsewhere in the UK - the landmark deal will transform the presence of the UK's exports in India. This is especially promising for food products like Scottish salmon, which have faced prohibitive 33 per cent tariffs. Once they are lifted, exporters will have access to the world's third-largest fish market and a middle class that is expected to grow to a quarter of a billion by 2050. Understandably, many are preparing for significant long-term expansion into the market. Logistics to power exports | Supplied Premium produce requires premium logistics While the potential for growth in both nearby and distant markets is clear, capturing these opportunities depends on the essential but less glamourous matter of logistics. Ageing infrastructure can increase costs and add complexity. Scotland has felt these constraints acutely. However, the challenges also present opportunities for strategic partnerships that can deliver far greater efficiencies across the supply chain. At DP World, we're not shy of the challenge and have invested to ensure UK exporters can seize the trade opportunities of the day. Our deep sea container ports connect exporters across the whole of the UK with overseas markets. In 2013, we opened London Gateway - the UK's first deep-water container port for more than 20 years - and have committed to its growth ever since. Just a few months ago we began work on a £1 billion expansion of its port facilities and rail infrastructure and announced a further £60 million investment in the Port of Southampton. Both will boost handling capacity and improve direct rail services, offering Scottish exporters fast, low-carbon routes to global shipping networks. As exporters hurry to capitalise on the new opportunities, undoubtedly there will be many pitfalls to navigate, whether that's complex regulatory challenges, untested consumer appetites and cultural nuance. That's where the right logistics infrastructure becomes a critical enabler. Labelling and packaging requirements, for example, vary by market and can create bottlenecks if not handled with care - something DP World supports through advanced, market-specific compliance services. Untested consumer appetites also mean shipments need to be agile, fresh and first-class. In this case facilities like The Chill Hub, our temperature-controlled warehouse at London Gateway, are indispensable for high-value perishable goods like Scottish salmon. Alongside connectivity and adaptability, exporters need flexibility. With rail or barge connectivity at 95 per cent of our 20 European sites, Scottish producers have the necessary options to move goods effectively and on schedule should congestion occur. This is an area we continue to invest in, helping to build the resilience that traders will need for the decades ahead. Scotland's food and drink exporters have a long and proud history, but with new trade agreements opening doors to major, high-growth markets like India, this feels like the start of an exciting new chapter. By strengthening the logistics networks and alliances that move goods from A to B, we can help the blue-and-white 'Made in Scotland' label find new admirers around the world. That's an opportunity we can all raise a glass to.
ITV News
an hour ago
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His trip also comes as a new golf course is about to debut on August 13, which the Trump family business has billed "the greatest 36 holes in golf." Trump is dedicating the new course to his Scottish-born mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who grew up on the Isle of Lewis. But Trump's existing Aberdeenshire course has been mired in controversy in recent years, after it struggled to turn a profit, and was found by Scottish conservation authorities to have partially destroyed nearby sand dunes. Trump's company was also ordered to cover the Scottish government's legal costs after the course unsuccessfully sued over the construction of a nearby wind farm, arguing in part that it damaged golfers' views. Critics also argue the trip - which is expected to cost tens of thousands of dollars - is a blatant example of Trump blending his presidential duties with promoting his family's business interests. The White House has brushed off questions about potential conflicts of interest, arguing that Trump's business success before he entered politics was key to his appeal with voters. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers called his visit "a working trip", but added that Trump has "built the best and most beautiful world-class golf courses anywhere in the world, which is why they continue to be used for prestigious tournaments and by the most elite players in the sport." Who will Trump meet during his visit? The president will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his stay, when the pair are expected to discuss the UK-US trade deal. Trump said the meeting would likely take place at one of his properties. He will also meet with Scottish First Minister John Swinney. The SNP leader previously said he would take the opportunity to raise various issues with the president, including tariffs, Gaza, and Ukraine. Speaking ahead of his arrival, Swinney said the global attention the visit will receive provides the opportunity to promote Scotland's tourism sector and economic investment potential, as well as to allow people to respectfully demonstrate the principles of freedom and justice. "Scotland shares a strong friendship with the United States that goes back centuries," he said ahead of the visit. "The partnership remains steadfast through economic, cultural and ancestral links - including, of course, with the president himself." The first minister said Scotland is a "proud democratic nation" that "stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world." Swinney has been vocally critical of the US president in the past, and openly endorsed Trump's political opponent Kamala Harris before last year's election - a move branded an "insult" by a spokesperson for Trump's Scottish businesses. John Swinney has argued that it is "in Scotland's interest" for him to meet the president, and for the visit to go ahead. But some Scots disagree, and a major police operation is being mounted during the visit in anticipation of protests. Thousands of officers are expected to be deployed by Police Scotland, who will deal with planned mass protests around Trump's golf courses and major Scottish cities. Trade unions, disability rights activists, climate justice campaigners, Palestinian and Ukrainian solidarity groups and American diaspora organisations are among those holding demonstrations in protest of the visit. The Stop Trump Scotland group has encouraged demonstrators to come to Aberdeen and 'show Trump exactly what we think of him in Scotland.' A spokesperson for the organisation said: "The people of Scotland don't want to roll out a welcome mat for Donald Trump, whose government is accelerating the spread of climate breakdown around the world." They also said that people in Scotland "simply wanted to live in peace near what is now [Trump's] vanity project golf course", and have "experienced Trump's abusive and high-handed behaviour first-hand, long before he entered the White House." Protests are planned in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dumfries. During Trump's visit to Scotland in 2018, similar gatherings drew thousands of protestors.
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2 hours ago
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Trump's plans for his private five-day trip to Scotland
President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Scotland on Friday for a five-day private visit, concluding on Tuesday. His itinerary includes visits to his Turnberry and Menie golf courses, and the opening of a new course dedicated to his Scottish mother. The visit will involve a significant Police Scotland operation, with mass protests anticipated around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. Trump is expected to meet with Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to discuss a UK-US trade deal, and First Minister John Swinney. First Minister John Swinney intends to use the meeting to address issues such as tariffs, Gaza, and Ukraine, while also promoting Scotland's tourism and economic potential.
