Chamber and committees

As a responsible government we are preparing for all EU Exit possibilities. In 2018-19, the Scottish Government received £37.3 million in consequentials; £27 million was allocated to specific Brexit related activity in the Scottish Government and its agencies, with the remaining £10 million being spent by portfolios as part of the 2018-19 Scottish Budget.

The 2019-20 Scottish Budget will support vital preparedness activities. All Portfolio areas, including Local Government, have benefited from all of the £54.7 million EU Exit funding consequentials being allocated via the 2019-20 Scottish Budget. We are prioritising activity in areas that will be heavily impacted by Brexit such as the economy, transport, food and drink, medicines, agriculture and the rural economy.

We are also engaged in civil contingencies planning around any impacts that may have an immediate and direct effect on citizens. Intensive planning and preparation for a ‘no deal’ outcome has been underpinned by detailed work across government to identify the risks and potential impacts of EU exit and the mitigating actions that we and others could take across a wide range of issues, including impact to businesses.

Given the range and diversity of work ongoing across Government and its interaction with day-to-day responsibilities, it is simply not possible to provide a full breakdown of cost to date, therefore I cannot specify how much of the funding relates specifically to Glasgow. What we do know however that is Brexit is going to cost Scotland more than the consequentials delivered by Westminster.

I am continuing to work with the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations to ensure that any decisions to reprioritise resource towards EU Exit priorities are made collectively and consistently.