The Scottish government has requested £52m (€58.95m) from the UK’s no-deal Brexit contingency fund to assist with Scottish Brexit preparation.
Scottish Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, who issued the request to the UK government’s EU Exit Operational Contingency Fund, reiterated the Scottish government’s antipathy to Brexit as a whole and a no-deal Brexit in particular; and urged UK authorities to consider releasing additional funding for Scottish Brexit preparation beyond 31 October, the date the UK is scheduled to leave the EU. The UK government has said funding will be made available in instances where the cost to Scotland is disproportionate.
Mr Mackay said: “The UK government now seems to be actively pursuing a no-deal outcome which is utterly unacceptable and must be avoided at all costs. We have requested £52m from the UK government’s fund to help us prepare for a no-deal outcome. This is the minimum requirement for operational activity, but the real costs of a no-deal Brexit will massively outweigh these [costs] and further funding will be required. Exiting the EU was not Scotland’s choice and the Scottish government has been clear that any related costs must be covered by the UK government. The Scottish government should not have to cut spending on public services to fund Brexit preparations.”
The request for Scottish Brexit preparation funding details a number of areas where additional support will be needed in the event of a no-deal Brexit, including:
- Alleviating the disproportionate impact of a no-deal Brexit on rural communities, with particular reference to ensuring these communities are able to receive medical support;
- Increasing support to Police Scotland and Marine Scotland;
- Offering communication and support to EU citizens living in Scotland; and
- Supporting low income and vulnerable households with poverty mitigation measures.
Mr Mackay added: “As a responsible government, we are already taking steps to protect jobs and our economy from a ‘no deal’ Brexit and we will set out those plans to Parliament shortly but we are facing additional and disproportionate costs to mitigate the impact of such an outcome. We will continue make the case for staying in the EU and will stand firm against efforts to take us out against our will.”
