Now spending on SNP's network of 'tartan embassies' set to soar to £27m while services are facing savage cuts

By MICHAEL BLACKLEY SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR

Published: | Updated:

The cost to taxpayers of the SNP’s network of overseas ‘embassies’ and spending on foreign aid is set to soar by well above inflation next year as other services face savage cuts.

The total bill for ‘international and European relations’ will increase by in 2025/26 to a record £27.5 million.

It includes above-inflation increases for most of the nine international offices the SNP Government has set up around the world, as well as a big jump in international aid.

The increases in the budgets overseen by Constitution and External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson come as a series of frontline services all face cuts to budgets. It led to renewed calls for ministers to scrap the international offices, amid claims they are used to push the case for independence.

Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: ‘This shows how detached the SNP are from the priorities of most Scots.

‘They want the Nats to stop hammering households and businesses with the highest taxes in the UK. But while John Swinney’s government imposes savage cuts on essential services, they can always find more taxpayers’ money to fly Air Miles Angus around the world.’

The international and European relations budget for next year (£27.5 million) is 9.6 per cent higher than the £25.1 million spent last year, 2023/24.

The budget for the Scottish Government’s office in Paris will rise to £541,000, while one in Dublin will increase to £496,000 and a China office will increase to £411,000. 

Angus Robertson has come under fire in the past for his travels abroad

Angus Robertson has come under fire in the past for his travels abroad

The UK's Paris Embassy where the SNP foreign office if based

The UK's Paris Embassy where the SNP foreign office if based

Labour peer George Foulkes has called for the spending on foreign bases to be cut

 Labour peer George Foulkes has called for the spending on foreign bases to be cut

The only offices which will see a reduction in costs are in Brussels and Canada.

Labour peer Lord George Foulkes said: ‘Some of these need to be closed and spending needs to not just be controlled but cut back entirely.

‘Ian Murray (the Scottish Secretary) and the Scotland Office are promoting Brand Scotland with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and they can do that through the existing UK embassies and High Commissions.’

Also included within the international and European relations budget is £12.8 million for the international development fund, which is used to pay for projects in countries including Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia.

The government has stepped up spending in this area despite the UK Government already spending nearly £8 billion a year on international aid on behalf of taxpayers across the UK.

The increasing spending comes as a series of key services face cuts in the Budget set out by Finance Secretary Shona Robison last week.

A government spokesman said: ‘The government’s international network delivers tangible benefits to Scotland’s people, businesses and institutions, supporting £1.73 billion in forecast export sales and more than 8,500 jobs in 2022-23.’

ScotlandForeign AidSNPJohn Swinney

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