Select committee: Scottish Affairs Committee
Conclusion 4
Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Internationally
Published 13 Sep 2023
Paragraph 29
Addressed to Scotland Office
Scottish Affairs Committee Promoting Scotland Internationally All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
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 Internationally work should be undertaken in conjunction with the Government’s response to the recommendation made in paragraph 18. To inform the strategy, the UK Government should consider: • conducting an audit of international activity which is currently undertaken in relation to promoting Scotland internationally; • horizon scanning to identify relevant upcoming opportunities or events that could be used as additional opportunities to contribute to the UK Government’s priorities for promoting Scotland internationally; and • consulting with stakeholders from the Scottish business and cultural sectors to inform these priorities. In addition, the new cross-Whitehall delivery board for Scotland cited by the Secretary of State during evidence should cover the UK Government’s activity and strategy for promoting Scotland internationally as part of its remit.
From: Scottish Affairs Committee, Eighth Report - Promoting Scotland Internationally (HC 625), paragraph 29, 13 September 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 30 November 2023 (deadline 13 November 2023).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government's response recognises the importance of promoting Scotland internationally but, in several areas, describes existing arrangements as the right approach rather than adopting the Committee's proposals.
- On a strategy for marking Scotland's key dates, it says that "Issuing prescriptive guidance to the overseas network does not necessarily provide the most effective way to promote the best of Scotland", so Posts keep discretion.
- On an international strategy, it says the Scotland Office and FCDO "will continue to provide leadership", but that this "remains a cross-government endeavour". It notes that horizon scanning is "a continual process" and that the Delivering for Scotland Board includes promotion of Scotland internationally.
- On Tartan Week, it says departments are discussing potential collaboration for 2024 in New York, and that "Detailed plans for this will be developed during the autumn/winter 2023."
- On trade, it says DBT works with the Scottish Government and SDI so that "services aren't duplicated", and says the UK Exports Minister and senior DBT officials "can appear before the Committee" to provide an update.