FRACKING opponents have welcomed Fergus Ewing’s removal from the Scottish Government’s energy brief and called on his successor Keith Brown to ban the gas extraction technology.
Ewing, who was yesterday promoted from energy minister to Rural Affairs Secretary, angered environmentalists including some SNP members when he announced a moratorium on fracking last year with the caveat “we should never close our minds to the potential opportunities of new technologies”.
Brown will now co-ordinate energy policy as part of the newly-created portfolio of Economy, Jobs and Fair Work. John Swinney’s appointment as Education Secretary was also widely welcomed.
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of teaching union Educational Institute of Scotland, backed his appointment to the role where he will also remain as Deputy First Minister.
“The appointment of the Deputy First Minister to the post of Education Secretary is a clear indicator that the First Minister continues to view support for education as perhaps the top priority for the Scottish Government,” he said.
Vonnie Sandlan, president of NUS Scotland, said: “Putting the education brief in the hands of Scotland’s Deputy First Minister is a hopeful sign of intent and ambition.”
Swinney’s remit will also include the inquiry into historical child abuse, which is due to hear submissions from the public later this year and which is expected to be Scotland’s most expensive public inquiry.
“We look forward to a productive and constructive relationship in relation to achieving justice, accountability and redress for the survivors of child abuse,” said Alan Draper, parliamentary liaison officer for In Care Abuse Survivors (INCAS).
Dr Peter Bennie, chairman of medical union BMA Scotland, welcomed the “continuity and experience” offered by Shona Robison in her continuing role as Health Secretary.
Mary Church, head of campaigns for Friends of the Earth Scotland, welcomed the appointment of Roseanna Cunningham as Scotland’s first dedicated Climate Change Secretary.
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, called on new Rural Affairs Secretary Ewing to prevent any negative impacts on the Scottish fleet from the phased introduction of a ban on discarding fish.
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