Fiona Hyslop was quizzed on the deal which saw a Canadian firm become majority shareholders in the firm in 2018. Fiona Hyslop, the Economy Secretary, was adamantine in her own defence last week, showering critics with a list of other suspects from BiFab’s Canadian owners for … Cultural sites at risk of closure due to coronavirus are to receive a share of the pot in the new year. It also makes no sense to me that turbines, which will sit off the coast of Scotland and could have been made in Scotland, will instead be manufactured in places like the Far East.”. Burntisland Fabrications, which has yards in Burntisland and Methil in Fife and Arnish on the Isle of Lewis, collapsed on Thursday, weeks after the Scottish Government withdrew financial backing. “As we navigate our way through the pandemic, we know physical distancing is vital to ensuring that we do not see a second wave of infections, but we recognise the difficulties this presents for those in performing arts. Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party I congratulate Bob Doris on being the MSP for the constituency that was the first location to receive investment from the SNIB. A “rotten deal” by the Scottish Government saw a … “We were promised 500 jobs for the area and the community and now the message is regulations are stopping this. It’s been estimated emissions from these ships’ journeys will be the equivalent of over 30 million new diesel cars being put on the road. The fund will be run by Creative Scotland, who will publish full details shortly. “At one point I had five family members working in the yards, and nearly every family had a member or friend involved in some way. Four new apprentices were at the Port Glasgow yard to meet Fiona Hyslop via a video link. All Rights Reserved. The festival, in its 23rd year, hosts events for... Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images out more about cookies, Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to know. Fiona Hyslop Related News. “We know the impact of this crisis will be long-term so ambitious action to support the future of these organisations, as well as our wider cultural infrastructure, is vital. “Nationalisation of BiFab was considered but this could not resolve the challenges presented by state aid rules, and would still not have allowed for the provision of working capital or guarantees to the business. The Scottish economy contracted by 19.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the country, new figures show. They realise now they have missed the boat. In a plea to Westminster Hyslop said the existing 20% rate should be slashed to boost construction activity. Our community here in Fife is crying out for work and if you have an asset like the yard here lying empty, when we have the skilled workers needed, then that’s a scandal. She told MSPs on Wednesday that … Fiona Hyslop. Fiona Jane Hyslop (born 1 August 1964) is a Scottish politician who has served as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture since 2020. She said ministers had explored alternatives, including state ownership, but they “can no longer lawfully support the company financially”. THE three primary aims of Scotland’s new investment bank have been set out by the Economy Secretary. “Tron Theatre is also extremely grateful for the PERF award we received which will enable us to prepare our venue for re-opening and re-establishing our creative programme.”. It is the short-term financial lifeline that we have campaigned tirelessly for in recent months. image caption Fiona Hyslop said both governments would now attempt to secure a new future for the yards. Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop, has welcomed new figures that show 1,211 of new build homes were completed in West Lothian last year. "It is significant, welcome and demonstrates the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to culture but we also recognise that organisations and individuals working across the wider cultural sector are facing extremely challenging circumstances which, in some cases, threaten their long-term viability. “I have worked in the fabrication industry since I left school and the number of skilled tradesmen being put out to pasture in Scotland now is unbelievable. The contract for the jackets – underwater steel foundations that fix turbines to the sea bed – would have brought hundreds of workers back to the yards in Methil and Burntisland but the firm went into administration last week as ministers blamed the Canadians, who bought BiFab for £1, of failing to invest and European Union rules restricting state support. Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “It’s been an extremely trying time for everyone in the culture and heritage sectors over the last few months. Ms Hyslop’s new role in charge of the economy will raise a few eyebrows. “It’s shocking that people will have to move that distance when the work could be done here. Get a round-up of stories from The Sunday Post every week. She graduated from Glasgow University with an MA (Hons) in Economic History and Sociology. A former staffer who blamed SNP minister Fiona Hyslop for triggering two suicide attempts is to quit Scotland for Spain. Governments have to take risks, and this one didn't work out, according to Fiona Hyslop. Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the figures, which reveal a 21.1 per cent contraction over the year compared to Q2 2019, show the “extremely serious impact” of the pandemic. MSP Fiona Hyslop welcomes new £8 million Cycling Facilities Fund pot Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop welcomed the Scottish Government's commitment to … Specialist staff told The Sunday Post the historic engineering firm’s crash into administration has left them despairing of a future in Scotland as huge wind turbines, built abroad, are shipped around the world to be anchored a few miles off the coast. A targeted £10 million fund to support Scotland’s performing arts venues has been announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop. Find The Scottish economy contracted by 19.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the country, new figures show. “All the jackets will be fabricated thousands upon thousands of miles away and sailed over here. Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the figures, which reveal a 21.1 per cent contraction over the year compared to Q2 2019, show the “extremely serious impact” of the pandemic. People ask how we can compete with cheaper overseas labour but with investment, for example in plant, you can bring costs down. Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop insisted the Scottish Government had exhausted options for rescuing BiFab. He said: “When this sector started up we were told Scotland would become the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy, but all we’ve got are empty yards with tumble weed running through them. The Tron Theatre in Glasgow received £76,000 from the Scottish Government’s initial support for the sector through the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund (PERF) which helped thousands of businesses across the country. “It rubs salt into the wounds when I look abroad to other countries, even European countries like France, who seem to be ensuring their workers are getting a fairer deal. People are scunnered at the sequence of events, about what’s happened and how it’s happened. Gary Wilson, 53, of Cardenden, a paint blaster-sprayer at BiFab for 10 years, said: “I’m now working on a paint job in Surrey and I’m aware of others in trades such as welders or platers are likely to end up in yards in the Far East doing the work we hoped to do in Fife. Trade union leaders have accused the Scottish and UK governments of betraying BiFab and risking the loss of industrial skills and experience that may never be replaced. All we got was kicked in the teeth. Skilled workers are planning to leave Scotland to work abroad days after the collapse of BiFab in another blow to Scotland’s hopes of an economic windfall from renewable energy. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Hyslop has served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Linlithgow constituency since 2011, having represented the Lothians Region from 1999 to 2011. I’ll have to look abroad for work. GMB Scotland secretary Gary Smith said: “The governing party in Scotland told us they were stronger for Scotland, but the reality is they are forcing Scottish workers to find employment anywhere but Scotland. Harpist Fiona Hyslop gives a performance during the Edinburgh International Harp Festival April 2, 2004 at Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland. The latest statistics from the Scottish Government show that over 9,300 affordable homes were delivered in 2019 across … The work to install the new crane is being project managed by the same tower crane technician who installed the old crane in 1983. There will no doubt be others like me. The theme of the 14th Business in the Parliament conference was ‘Resilience and Recovery: Working Together for a New and Sustainable Economic Future’. Welder Derek Whyte, 58, of Leven, Fife, said: “I began as an apprentice at the old Methil yard in Fife when I was 16 and have worked in the sector ever since. © DC Thomson Co Ltd 2020. The skills and dedication of the workforce is recognised throughout the renewables and offshore industry and will play an important role in our future energy ambitions. Ministers “rescued” the firm three years ago backing new owners DF Barnes, a subsidiary of Canadian firm JV Driver, with £52.4 million of public money adding to the millions ploughed in by enterprise companies over the past decade. “At almost 40 years old, it’s a good time to replace the crane. The three primary aims of Scotland’s new investment bank have been set out by the Economy Secretary. He now expects to end up working in China or Indonesia. The Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund is for regularly funded organisations and non-RFOs and aims to: Your feedback will help us improve this site, Find Harpist Fiona Hyslop gives a performance during the Edinburgh International Harp Festival April 2, 2004 at Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland. “I come from the Levenmouth area which is one of the most deprived in Scotland and, to me, it defies belief that the Scottish Government, after giving people hope by backing BiFab, have let us down months later saying the regulations prevent them assisting with financial aid. The Scottish government, obviously, disagrees, though it is not pretending this is a happy position to be in. She told MSPs on Wednesday that … out more about cookies, remove the threat of insolvency prior to the end of March 2021, allow for specialist / core staff to return from furlough or avoid redundancy to work on future sustainability plans, increase the opportunities for commissioning and employment of freelance artists and creative practitioners. Italian firm Saipem won the contract to manufacture the 54 turbines jackets, most of which will be done at its base in Indonesia. We have also committed to establish a joint working group with the UK Government to explore how existing policy measures can be used to strengthen the renewables and clean energy supply chain in Scotland.”, We were meant to be getting 500 jobs. “What’s happened is devastating for me personally, for my fellow workers and for the whole area. The big contracts are all going elsewhere. Andy Arnold, Artistic Director at The Tron, said: “This new dedicated fund is welcome news and should provide a morale boost to Scottish theatre and I hope will give a financial life line in the short term to many vital cultural organisations. Ministers also confirmed that the B&B Hardship Fund, which is part of the £185m Business Support Fund, will now be extended to cover those with a business account who have received no other COVID-19 related business grant support to date. “I have managed to get a welding job in Dundee but I’m one of the lucky ones. Lewis Emerson (21), Beth Atkinson (25), James McEwan (17) and Marley Weir (18), shared their hopes and ambitions for their future careers with the Cabinet Secretary. We also use non-essential cookies to help us improve our websites. Meanwhile, skilled Scots engineers are looking for work abroad, fuelling fears a brain drain of talent and experience will blight any hopes Scotland can ever win major engineering contracts linked to green energy. Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop insisted the Scottish Government had exhausted options for rescuing BiFab. The festival, in its 23rd year, hosts events for... Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Fiona Hyslop. The theme of the 14th Business in the Parliament conference was ‘Resilience and Recovery: Working Together for a New and Sustainable Economic Future’. 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A former staffer who blamed SNP minister Fiona Hyslop for triggering two suicide attempts is to quit Scotland for Spain. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop is hopeful a buyer will be found (Jane Barlow/PA) The Scottish Government said it will continue to do everything in its power to support BiFab’s workers and help forge a new future for the yards in Fife and the Western Isles. “The Scottish Government has given up on a sizeable number of jobs being created in fabrication and manufacture for renewables. Created as part of the Scottish Government’s £185m Business Support Fund, the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund will help venues who cannot yet reopen to their audiences due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). “Our theatres and performing arts venues and the talented freelancers who work with them are an essential part of the fabric of Scotland’s culture and communities and promote our international reputation, and we are determined that they will survive and be able to thrive again. An SNP aide claimed they have “put up with 6 … “We will now work with the administrator and trade unions to secure a new future for the BiFab yards in Fife and the Western Isles, helping ensure they are able to diversify and compete in this competitive market. There is a lack of specific information and answers on what has happened. Despite its pledge to deliver a green energy revolution, the government, a minority shareholder in the firm, withdrew a £30m guarantee needed to secure a contract to manufacture eight offshore wind turbine jackets for the £2 billion Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) project, nine miles off the coast of Fife. NEWS SPECIAL: BiFab collapse risks loss of vital skills as experienced workers reveal they will be forced to move abroad to find jobs, BiFab: Unions demand leadership, strategy and investment while experts warn Scotland must identify and exploit new skills and assets, The Sunday Post: The collapse of BiFab has given debacles a bad name. My fellow workers and for the yards a new window the new year the Economy.... Financial support would be possible is whether a market Economy investor would do the same at. Deal which saw a Canadian firm become majority shareholders in the new year diesel ships to them. 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