Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 28 January 2026 [Draft]
28 Jan 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Portfolio Funding (Value for Money)
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business
I am genuinely surprised that Tess White is not aware that the increase in the external affairs advice and policy budget reflects the inward transfer of budgets from areas outwith the portfolio for teams working on population and migration and international climate change.
Scotland’s international network does a lot of work to promote Scotland’s culture internationally. I am sorry that there is an ever-growing number of voices among Tess White’s party that seek to reduce that work. Her predecessor on the front bench used to call for an increase in Scotland’s international network. It is a sad day when the Conservative Party, which set up Scotland’s first international office, chooses to downgrade that network.
In the same item of business
2. Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures value for money when allocating funding within the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture portfolio. (S6O-0...
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (Angus Robertson)
SNP
The constitution, external affairs and culture portfolio received £415.8 million in the Scottish Government draft budget for 2026-27. That represents a £36.1...
Tess White
Con
The Government’s tax and spending plans show that funding for international and European relations will rise by 29.3 per cent. Two years ago, it rose by 12 p...
Angus Robertson
SNP
I am genuinely surprised that Tess White is not aware that the increase in the external affairs advice and policy budget reflects the inward transfer of budg...
Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)
SNP
It is grimly amusing to hear a Tory use the words “value for money”, “funding” and “external affairs” in the same sentence. Scotland still awaits from the To...
Angus Robertson
SNP
Brexit has been an unmitigated economic and social disaster. Its red tape has increased costs to businesses and hit Scotland’s trade with our largest interna...