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Select Committee · Scottish Affairs Committee

Promoting Scotland Internationally

Status: Closed Opened: 21 Jul 2022 Closed: 17 Jan 2024 8 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report

The Committee recently conducted an inquiry into Promoting Scotland Internationally. Its report, published on 13 September 2023, can be read here . Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Internationally HC 625 13 Sep 2023 14 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

5 items
3 Recommendation Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Int… Acknowledged

UK Government's international strategy for Scotland lacks clear actions and measurable objectives.

We heard that UK Government activity in relation to promoting Scotland internationally, for example through ministerial visits, could sometimes be perceived as lacking a bigger strategic picture. The Secretary of State for Scotland described the UK Government’s strategy for Scotland on the international stage as “one of bringing high-tech businesses … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government stated that promoting Scotland is a cross-government endeavor, with strategic direction arising from departmental priorities and collaboration. They described existing processes like stakeholder engagement, horizon scanning, and the Delivering for Scotland Board, but did not provide the specific 'further detail' or measurable actions …
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Scotland Office
4 Conclusion Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Int… Acknowledged

Mandate OSSS to develop and publish a comprehensive, measurable strategy for promoting Scotland internationally.

In response to this report, the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland—in consultation with the FCDO—should provide a clear strategy containing its measurable priorities and objectives for promoting Scotland internationally alongside the actions it is undertaking—and will undertake in the future—to achieve these goals. This 30 Promoting Scotland … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government provides a very vague statement about 'broad engagement providing ongoing opportunity' without committing to a clear strategy with measurable priorities, an audit, horizon scanning, stakeholder consultation, or specifying the remit of the cross-Whitehall delivery board.
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Scotland Office
5 Conclusion Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Int… Acknowledged

UK Government ministerial attendance at New York Tartan Week resumed after eleven years.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland earlier this year (2023) attended and took part in events as part of the 25th annual “Tartan Week” in New York City—the first time a UK Government Minister has attended since 2012. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government confirmed the attendance of a minister at Tartan Week 2023, detailing the range of stakeholders engaged. They also mentioned ongoing discussions for 2024 collaboration and other international promotional activities tailored by overseas posts.
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Scotland Office
8 Conclusion Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Int… Acknowledged

Opportunities exist to engage Scotland's global diaspora for promoting Scottish interests internationally.

We have heard from witnesses during our inquiry of the opportunities which exist for the UK and Scottish governments to build connections with Scotland’s large global diaspora, which could be used to support the promotion of Scottish interests internationally. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the opportunities to engage the Scottish diaspora, highlighting existing activities by UK overseas missions such as St Andrew's Day and Burns Night events. It states the FCDO will continue to work collaboratively with the Scottish Government to engage the diaspora.
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Scotland Office
10 Conclusion Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Int… Acknowledged

Inconsistent practice in UK embassies hinders international promotion of Scotland

We appreciate the wide range of work undertaken by UK embassies across a range of interests, from security to international development assistance to consular support. Our inquiry has focused on the economic and cultural promotion of Scotland internationally, and our recommendations will therefore focus on this narrower area of competence. … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's report on promoting Scotland internationally and expresses gratitude.
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Scotland Office

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
12 Jun 2023 David Rutley · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Rt Hon Alister Jack · Scotland Office, The Lord Offord of Garvel CVO · Scotland Office View ↗
15 May 2023 Francesca Hegyi OBE · Edinburgh International Festival, Major General Buster Howes CB OBE · The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Shona McCarthy · Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society View ↗
20 Mar 2023 Dr Stephen Baker · Scottish Development International, Reuben Aitken · Scottish Enterprise, Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP · Scottish Government, Scott Wightman · Scottish Government View ↗
9 Jan 2023 Patricia Yates · VisitBritain/VisitEngland, Professor Murray Pittock MAE FRSE · University of Glasgow, Scott McDonald · British Council, Vicki Miller · VisitScotland View ↗
12 Dec 2022 Graeme Littlejohn · Scotch Whisky Association, Jimmy Buchan · Scottish Seafood Association, John Davidson · Scotland Food and Drink View ↗

Who gave evidence

17 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
David Rutley · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Americas … Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 1
Dr Stephen Baker · Regional Director Inward Investment, Asia Pacific… Scottish Development International 1
Francesca Hegyi OBE · Chief Executive Edinburgh International Festival 1
Graeme Littlejohn · Director of Strategy & Communication Scotch Whisky Association 1
Jimmy Buchan · Chief Executive Scottish Seafood Association 1
John Davidson · Deputy Chief Executive and Strategy Director Scotland Food and Drink 1
Major General Buster Howes CB OBE · Chief Executive The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 1
Patricia Yates · Chief Executive VisitBritain/VisitEngland 1
Professor Murray Pittock MAE FRSE · Co-Chair of the Scottish Arts and Humanities Alli… University of Glasgow 1
Reuben Aitken · Managing Director, International Operations Scottish Enterprise 1
Rt Hon Alister Jack · Secretary of State for Scotland Scotland Office 1
Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP · Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affa… Scottish Government 1
Scott McDonald · Chief Executive British Council 1
Scott Wightman · Director for External Affairs Scottish Government 1
Shona McCarthy · Chief Executive Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society 1
The Lord Offord of Garvel CVO · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Scotland Office 1
Vicki Miller · Director of Marketing and Digital VisitScotland 1

Correspondence

5 letters
DateDirectionTitle
6 Sep 2023 To cttee Letter from Christopher Thomson, Scottish Government Counsellor for the United…
12 Jul 2023 — Correspondence with the Rt Hon Mr Alister Jack MP, Secretary of State for Scot…
20 Jun 2023 To cttee Letter from Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External …
16 May 2023 — Correspondence from Reuben Aitken of Scottish Development International in fol…
25 Apr 2023 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, Ex…

Meetings & visits

3 items
DateTypeDetail
4 Sep 2023 Formal meeting (private meeting) — · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
30 Jan 2023 Informal meeting — · Scotland
7 Nov 2022 Informal meeting — · Virtual meeting