Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted
Enhance FCDO training for embassy staff and promote regular meetings on Scottish interests
Recommendation
The FCDO should enhance its programme of training for relevant embassy staff at all band levels to improve the knowledge base of UK officials of the Scottish market and industry landscape, as well as the current priorities of the UK Government in relation to promoting Scotland internationally (considering the recommendation made in Chapter 3 above in relation to strategy). In those locations where staff are not co-located, regular meetings should be held between relevant embassy teams and Scottish Government officials or Scottish Development International staff to ensure communication and information sharing. Beyond this, teams should also be encouraged to meet periodically with other Scottish institutions, be that in industry or academia. (Paragraph 47) Promoting Scottish trade
Government Response Summary
The government detailed existing training programs for Heads of Mission, regular briefings by DBT Scotland, and encouragement for HoMs to visit Scotland to engage with industry. It also outlined routine formal and informal engagement between Scottish Government/SDI officials and UK Government staff across the overseas network.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
As part of their formal pre-posting training programmes, Heads and Deputy Heads of Mission (HoMs/DHMs) receive briefing on priorities for Scotland from representatives from the UK Government, and via direct engagement with Scottish Government officials as part of a stand-alone session with the devolved governments. This is a bespoke opportunity for those priorities to be communicated and for Heads and Deputies to consider how they can effectively promote these during their posting. DBT Scotland also regularly take opportunities to brief the UK’s overseas network on Scottish trade and investment opportunities. Existing HoMs are actively encouraged to undertake visits to Scotland and engage with a range of key stakeholders, including business and trade organisations. DBT Scotland and Scottish Development International (SDI) support visits to Scotland by UK diplomats to engage with industry and provide intelligence on Scotland’s export priorities and potential. Such visits to Scotland in the last 12 months included: the Deputy Head of Mission to Ankara (designate) (November 2023); the Deputy High Commissioner Kolkata (July 2023); British High Commissioner to India (June 2023); His Majesty’s Ambassador (HMA) Buenos Aires (February 2023); HMA Berne (Dec 2022). His Majesty’s Trade Commissioners have also visited and engaged with Scottish stakeholders in that period. DBT Scotland regularly engages His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner regions across the overseas network to provide information on Scottish sectoral strengths and export market priorities. Opportunities such as regional conferences are utilised by the team to provide learning tailored to specific international markets. SDI and Scottish Government officials will routinely engage with UK Government staff at Post, both informally and through formal engagement structures. For example, SDI is represented in the Country Board at BE Copenhagen. In Berlin, Scottish Government officials will participate in cross-network governance discussions and the head of the Scottish Government office participates in the monthly heads of office meetings. SDI has a presence in 23 countries and works closely with DBT Teams co-located within UK Missions.