Scotland contributes significantly to international development as part of the UK, Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands MSP and Scottish Conservative Spokesman on External Affairs, said today.
Jamie was speaking in the Scottish Parliament in a Scottish Government debate on Scotland’s role as a good global citizen.
Jamie also used the debate to pay tribute to Scottish international charities, such as Mary’s Meals based in Dalmally, Argyll.
Founded and run by Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Mary’s Meals provides a nutritious daily meal to more than 800,000 of the world’s poorest children, most notably in Malawi where the charity’s work began in 2002 and where Mary’s Meals feeds 20% of the primary school population.
Speaking today, Jamie said:
“Scotland has very significant international clout, each and every day, by being part of the UK, with its permanent membership of key global organisations like NATO, the UN Security Council, and the G8. These are important, tangible things, and mean that Scots consistently have representation at the top table internationally and can help shape international decisions - and we should not take these for granted. I should also mention the British Council offices; there are over 200 of these worldwide which are used by Scots.
“The government’s motion refers to the Scottish Government’s international development policy. We acknowledge the work that is being done here, but we shouldn’t consider this in isolation but should look too at the UK picture - Scots, as UK taxpayers, are also supporting the UK’s very significant international aid contribution.
“The Scottish Government’s international aid budget is welcome, but is around £9 million per annum, while the UK will spend over £12 billion annually on overseas aid by 2015/16, meaning we are the first of the G8 countries to meet the 0.7% of GNI (gross national income) target.
“This aid is helping to both save and transform the lives of millions of some of the poorest people in the less-developed world.
“The government’s motion also refers to climate justice, and we agree this is an important policy area. However, again Scots are also contributing a great deal to this through the UK, and we must assess things in context; Scotland’s £6million Climate Justice Fund, while very welcome, compares with the almost £4 billion the UK is providing through the International Climate Fund.
“These contributions are as much Scotland’s and Scots’ as those from the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Government should recognise this and work together with the UK Department for International Development; Scotland is doing a huge amount for international development and climate justice, fulfilling its role as a global citizen, as part of the UK”.