Latest news with #KennyMacAskill
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish workplaces rife with sexual harassment, Unite says
38% of respondents claimed they had been touched inappropriately while at work, and 52% said they had been the recipient of sexually offensive jokes. However, three-quarters of respondents said they had not reported the incidents to superiors. One woman, who works in the civil air transport industry, said: "Two of my friends were sexually assaulted on a work trip. I was involved in the investigation for months. "The man in question is still flying in a managerial position. The company did nothing to support my friends or keep them safe." Aviation is one industry where claims of sexual harassment are especially high. Another respondent, who works in the food and drink industry, added: "I reported disgusting behaviour and sexual comments from contractors which I had put up with for over two years and nothing was ever done about it. "I refused to work with them in the end and they were still given work for over 12 months afterwards until another female colleague reported them and then action was finally taken. "It made me feel worthless knowing that nobody had taken any notice of what I had said, and action was only taken after the reports from another female colleague. Unite has called for greater protections for those experiencing workplace harassment, including mandatory sexual harassment training for all employees, standalone sexual harassment policies, and extra legal support from the government. The survey, which polled 1,100 Scottish women, found that only 26% of respondents believed their employer had done enough to promote 'zero-tolerance' sexual harassment policies. The trade union has also called on the government to do more to enforce the 2023 Workplace Protection Act, which states that employers must take action against workplace harassment. Read more: Ambulance waiting times for critically ill patients on rise in all 32 councils Alba's Kenny MacAskill on party infighting, independence, and Scotland's energy 'I will never forgive Nicola Sturgeon', former Justice Secretary says Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Staff safety should be among the highest priorities for employers, but the results of our Scottish survey are damming and show women workers are being failed by bosses. "Nobody should suffer sexual harassment in the workplace. Unite is committed to taking a zero-tolerance approach and we will put every Scottish based employer turning a blind eye on notice. "We will fight every step of the way to stamp out workplace harassment once and for all. Every worker deserves a safe working environment and should feel able to report harassment."
Daily Record
06-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Scottish bank notes quietly phased out as Glasgow ATMs dispense English tenners
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Our investigation found circulation of Scotland's unique currency has slumped by nearly a fifth since 2020. Scottish banknotes are being quietly phased out, a Sunday Mail investigation has revealed. We have uncovered official data which shows our unique cash - a symbol of Scotland's national identity and banking heritage - is being stripped out of circulation at four times the rate of English branded currency. We found ATMs across the country now giving Bank of England tenners and twenties. Politicians and campaigners have reacted angrily to our findings. Ex-Justice Secretary and Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill said: 'The Scottish banks must explain why the decline in Scottish bank notes in circulation has fallen four times as fast as equivalent notes south of the border. 'If things continue as they are, one day we might reach the ridiculous point where people in Scotland are simply unable to get Scottish bank notes from cash machines at all. 'That would be totally unacceptable. 'Scottish bank notes are a matter of pride for Scots and the banks must provide reassurance that they are not being phased out against the expressed wishes of their customers.' The Bank of Scotland was the first bank in Europe to issue paper money in 1695. But Bank of England data shows the value of Scottish notes in circulation has slumped by nearly a fifth since 2020, the year the Covid-19 pandemic hit and saw an increase in contactless card payments. Overall, it means a fall of 16 per cent in real-terms in just five years - a decline which is four times faster than Bank of England notes which have dropped by just 4 per cent. People across Scotland have reported to us a rise in cash machines dispensing English notes rather than Scottish currency. We visited three cashpoints in Glasgow, including an ATM at Sainsbury's on Gordon Street opposite Central Station and two other machines in the west end. Our reporter took out £90 - with £80 dispensed as Bank of England notes and just £10 as Scottish notes, in the form of two Clydesdale Bank fivers. The total value of Scottish bank notes in circulation - including in people's wallets, shop tills and in the wider economy as well in ATMs and bank branches - had slipped below £5billion for the first time since November 2020. The value of Scottish notes held in ATMs and bank branches fell from half a billion pounds in 2017 to just £240million last year - a massive real-terms cut of 63 per cent. Ron Delnevo, who chairs the Payment Choice Alliance which campaigns on retaining the right to cash, said: 'There's no doubt that having Scottish notes is an expensive business for the banks. 'There's also the issue that whilst English notes are always accepted in Scotland, Scottish notes aren't always accepted in England - and the further south you go, the more problems you get. 'I would guess we're going to, more and more, see Scottish notes moving out of things like ATMs.' Three banks in Scotland issue Scottish bank notes - Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank. The 2008 financial crisis led to a series of acquisitions and mergers in the UK banking sector in which Scottish banks were absorbed into larger UK-wide entities. Bank of Scotland, which had already merged with Halifax in 2001, was taken over by London-headquartered Lloyds Bank in 2009. Clydesdale Bank merged with Virgin Money in 2018 then was acquired last year by Nationwide Building Society in a £2.3billion deal. RBS Group, which was bailed out by taxpayers to the tune of £45billion in 2008 and partly owned by the UK Government for 17 years, was rebranded NatWest Group in 2020. Lloyd Banking Group said it had no plans to stop issuing Bank of Scotland notes and stated it printed notes based on 'market demand'. Asked if there was an explicit policy to phase-out Clydesdale Bank notes, a spokesperson for Virgin Money said: 'No, we continue to issue notes to meet demand.' NatWest Group, which includes RBS, was also approached for comment. Delnevo added: 'We're being pushed towards a cashless society despite the fact people don't want it. 'We did a poll recently and 71 percent of people, including Scots and people in England and Wales, want a law passed guaranteeing their cash will be accepted. 'When LINK, the ATM network, did a survey, they found over 80 per cent wanted to retain the option of using cash. There's no desire amongst the public to see a cashless society. 'But there are whole areas of Scotland that have been completely denuded of bank branches and bank ATMs and it's very hard to get Scottish notes. 'People's cash access in these parts of the country is hanging by a thread.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. He used one example of Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute where there is a single bank branch, run by Virgin Money. He added: 'Apart from that, there wasn't another bank branch within 50 miles, and this was on the Scottish mainland.' Some of the most vulnerable groups in the country rely on cash, including many people with disabilities - either because they do not have access to a debit card, or because someone else controls their money. Delnevo added: 'It's a massive problem. There are 16million disabled people in the UK, 13million older people over 65. 'There are 4million people living in abusive households and cash is an escape route because they can use cash secretly whereas they can't do that with debit cards or credit cards. 'Millions of people would be impacted by the loss of cash.'
The National
01-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Ed Miliband accused of ‘hypocrisy' over Lindsey refinery support
Both Alba and the SNP have hit out at the Energy Secretary after the UK Government confirmed their review of mechanisms for refineries to become eligible for the Energy-Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme. Refineries are currently excluded from the scheme. Scottish representatives have drawn comparisons between the UK Government's response to State Oil – the parent company of Prax Group, which owns the Lindsey refinery in North Lincolnshire – and Grangemouth. More than 180 staff are employed by State Oil, while it is thought that around another 440 work at the Lindsey refinery. READ MORE: Wildfires becoming 'danger to human life', Scottish Government warned The Lindsey site is one of only five large oil refineries remaining in the UK after the recent closure of Grangemouth. Just over 400 jobs were lost earlier this year when the oil refinery closed and transitioned into being an import terminal. 'The fact is the Labour Party promised there would be no cliff edge for the oil and gas industry, but this will be the second refinery to face closure on their watch with thousands of jobs being lost in our offshore industries thanks to the Labour Government's fiscal regime," the SNP energy spokesperson Graham Leadbitter said. He added: "The UK Government was made aware of the difficulties months ago and so clearly we need to see a plan come forward as quickly as possible. 'Of course all options should be considered to keep Lindsey operating, but there was not even so much as an urgent statement for Grangemouth. It would appear that when it comes to British Steel and energy infrastructure south of the Border, Westminster can pull out all the stops. "It's no wonder people in Scotland are left questioning why critical national infrastructure becomes more critical depending on its geography." Alba party leader Kenny MacAskill, a former Scottish justice secretary, also responded to the reports, calling it "evidence of why independence is needed". "Sympathies are with the workforce and UK Government support for the refinery is the right thing to do," MacAskill said, and added: "But it rings hollow for Grangemouth where no such action was taken. The hypocrisy of Ed Miliband is breath-taking." He continued: "It's two-tier Ed not just two-tier Keir. Scottish refinery workers and communities are ignored whilst south of the Border they're supported. Yet again evidence of why independence is needed to control our own destiny and economy." The UK Government has now called for an urgent investigation after the Prax Group collapsed into administration, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. Energy minister Michael Shanks said the firm's collapse was 'deeply concerning' and that the company had left the UK Government with 'little time to act'. He said the Government is demanding an investigation into the conduct of the company's directors and the circumstances surrounding its failure as well as confirming a review of the Energy-Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme. READ MORE: Changes to UK disability cuts will cost billions, Liz Kendall tells MPs Prax Group is led by majority owner and chairman and chief executive Sanjeev Kumar Soosaipillai, who bought the Lindsey oil refinery from French firm Total in 2021. Shanks said: 'There have been longstanding issues with this company and workers have been badly let down. 'The Secretary of State is today writing to the Insolvency Service to demand an immediate investigation into the conduct of the directors and the circumstances surrounding this insolvency. 'The Government will ensure supplies are maintained, protect our energy security, and do everything we can to support workers and the local community, including engaging with trade unions and industry bodies.' He added: 'The Government believes that the business's leadership have a responsibility to the workers and the local community. 'We call on them to do the right thing and support the workers through this difficult period.' More than 80 potential investors have come forward since the UK Government pledged £200m for the Grangemouth site. The UK Government is also looking for another £600m from private investment in the area. Trade union Unite said the Government needed to urgently intervene to help protect UK fuel supplies and jobs. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'The Lindsey oil refinery is strategically important and the Government must intervene immediately to protect workers and fuel supplies. 'Unite has constantly warned the Government that its policies have placed the oil and gas industry on a cliff edge.' Built in 1968, the Lindsey refinery can process around 113,000 barrels of oil a day. Clare Boardman, joint administrator of State Oil and Prax, said: 'We appreciate that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for the employees and everyone involved and we will be on site to support them during this challenging period. 'We will be considering all options for the group, including the prospect of a sale for the group's upstream business and retail operations in the UK and Europe, all of which remain outside of insolvency. 'We thank the group's team members and other stakeholders for their continued support.' Prax Group was not immediately available for comment.
The National
30-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Ed Miliband accused of ‘hypocrisy' over State Oil refinery support
Both Alba and the SNP have hit out at the Energy Secretary after the UK Government confirmed their review of mechanisms for refineries to become eligible for the Energy-Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme. Refineries are currently excluded from the scheme. Scottish representatives have drawn comparisons between the UK Government's response to State Oil – the parent company of Prax Group, which owns the Lindsey refinery in North Lincolnshire – and Grangemouth. More than 180 staff are employed by State Oil, while it is thought that around another 440 work at the Lindsey refinery. READ MORE: Wildfires becoming 'danger to human life', Scottish Government warned The Lindsey site is one of only five large oil refineries remaining in the UK after the recent closure of Grangemouth. Just over 400 jobs were lost earlier this year when the oil refinery closed and transitioned into being an import terminal. 'The fact is the Labour Party promised there would be no cliff edge for the oil and gas industry, but this will be the second refinery to face closure on their watch with thousands of jobs being lost in our offshore industries thanks to the Labour Government's fiscal regime," the SNP energy spokesperson Graham Leadbitter said. He added: "The UK Government was made aware of the difficulties months ago and so clearly we need to see a plan come forward as quickly as possible. 'Of course all options should be considered to keep Lindsey operating, but there was not even so much as an urgent statement for Grangemouth. It would appear that when it comes to British Steel and energy infrastructure south of the border, Westminster can pull out all the stops. "It's no wonder people in Scotland are left questioning why critical national infrastructure becomes more critical depending on its geography." Alba party leader Kenny MacAskill, a former Scottish justice secretary, also responded to the reports, calling it "evidence of why independence is needed". "Sympathies are with the workforce and UK Government support for the refinery is the right thing to do," MacAskill said, and added: "But it rings hollow for Grangemouth where no such action was taken. The hypocrisy of Ed Miliband is breathtaking." He continued: "It's two-tier Ed not just two-tier Keir. Scottish refineries workers and communities as ignored whilst south of the border they're supported. Yet again evidence of why independence is needed to control our own destiny and economy." The UK Government has now called for an urgent investigation after the Prax Group collapsed into administration, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. Energy minister Michael Shanks said the firm's collapse was 'deeply concerning' and that the company had left the UK Government with 'little time to act'. He said the Government is demanding an investigation into the conduct of the company's directors and the circumstances surrounding its failure as well as confirming a review of the Energy-Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme. READ MORE: Changes to UK disability cuts will cost billions, Liz Kendall tells MPs Prax Group is led by majority owner and chairman and chief executive Sanjeev Kumar Soosaipillai, who bought the Lindsey oil refinery from French firm Total in 2021. Shanks said: 'There have been longstanding issues with this company and workers have been badly let down. 'The Secretary of State is today writing to the Insolvency Service to demand an immediate investigation into the conduct of the directors and the circumstances surrounding this insolvency. 'The Government will ensure supplies are maintained, protect our energy security, and do everything we can to support workers and the local community, including engaging with trade unions and industry bodies.' He added: 'The Government believes that the business's leadership have a responsibility to the workers and the local community. 'We call on them to do the right thing and support the workers through this difficult period.' More than 80 potential investors have come forward since the UK Government pledged £200 million for the Grangemouth site. The UK Government is also looking for another £600 million from private investment in the area. Trade union Unite said the Government needed to urgently intervene to help protect UK fuel supplies and jobs. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'The Lindsey oil refinery is strategically important and the Government must intervene immediately to protect workers and fuel supplies. 'Unite has constantly warned the Government that its policies have placed the oil and gas industry on a cliff edge.' Built in 1968, the Lindsey refinery can process around 113,000 barrels of oil a day. Clare Boardman, joint administrator of State Oil and Prax, said: 'We appreciate that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for the employees and everyone involved and we will be on site to support them during this challenging period. 'We will be considering all options for the group, including the prospect of a sale for the group's upstream business and retail operations in the UK and Europe, all of which remain outside of insolvency. 'We thank the group's team members and other stakeholders for their continued support.' Prax Group was not immediately available for comment.
The National
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
SNP must treat the Holyrood lists as the most important votes
The interface between psephology and mathematics is an unlikely place to look for an inspiring political discussion. But it is an area we need to get into. Scotland's additional member system is a hybrid of two different methods of election. There are 73 individual constituencies which elect a single MSP by first past the post (FPTP). The country is also divided into eight regions in each of which seven MSPs are elected from a party list. READ MORE: Poverty levels in Scotland below UK for 20 years, graphs show The list representation is quite deliberately intended to compensate parties who do badly out of the FPTP contests. It makes the numbers of MSPs from each party more in line with the votes cast for them. From the start, the system was a cop-out, accepting the gross and unfair distortions of FPTP, but preferring to put a sticking plaster on it rather than change it. It never ceases to amaze me that while on paper there is a massive cross-party majority against FPTP, the Scottish Parliament, unlike its Welsh counterpart, has never seen fit to change the electoral system it was given by Westminster. In theory, there is no reason why you could not allocate additional members through making a calculation of the votes already cast in constituencies. But we don't. Instead, voters are asked to make a separate vote on a different ballot paper. It is that vote, and only that vote, which is used to calculate what share of seats parties should have. These two votes are intended to be part of a single process of determining representation. But I'm pretty sure most people see them as two quite separate choices. Those electors who are still fairly strongly aligned to the party of their choice will probably vote the same way on each ballot. But a growing number of people are not strongly aligned to one party, they swing between them. A lot of them regard the regional vote as an invitation to make a second choice. Now that you've voted for your MSP, which other party would you like to see in the parliament? It feels like they are expressing a preference, giving the system their first and second choices. But it doesn't work like that. In reality, if you vote for a different party on the list, you may effectively cancel out your first choice. So, without your knowledge or intent, your actions may prevent the party you wanted elected from winning. In elections where one party dominates the constituency ballots, this might not be that much of a problem since the biggest party will be hard placed to get seats off the list anyway. But when the electorate's will is volatile and six-party contests make outcomes uncertain, a system in which one vote unwittingly negates the other is a democratic problem. READ MORE: Kenny MacAskill: Do Scots really want to dance to Keir Starmer's military tune? Scotland's political parties have themselves reinforced the illusion that voters are being asked to rank more than one preference. The best example being the 'second vote Green' strategy. But even 'both votes SNP' tells people there are two different votes and implies there's an option of making different choices in each. The SNP have been the decisive constituency victor in the past three elections. In consequence, the party has come to see regional contests as less important. Lists are made up of the same candidates that are fighting the constituencies. For them, it's a belt and braces approach to getting elected. But for some voters, this increases the chance of their vote going elsewhere. They can't see the point of voting for someone on the list who they've already backed with their constituency ballot. Even now, the party has had all its constituency candidates in place for two months and has not begun the process of choosing regional ones. There is almost an acceptance that nothing can be done about the gap in voting intention between constituency and regional ballots. John Swinney speaks at an SNP event which saw the party confirm all its constituency candidates for the 2026 elections (Image: PA) This is a mistake. The only way in this system to get a majority is by winning in both constituencies and lists. And the best way to do that is to drive up the share of support in the regional ballot. Increased shares on the list will drag up votes in the constituencies. It doesn't happen the other way round. So that means a national message must be central to a winning campaign. High-profile teams of candidates not running in individual constituencies need to campaign on a wider terrain. The choice on the list must be presented as the most important, not seen as an afterthought. If anything, it's your main decision. Decide who you want to lead the government first and having done that now choose your local representative. The SNP tried to do this in 2011 with the slogan 'Alex Salmond for First Minister'. It was the only time the party won a majority. We should learn that lesson.
