Rural and Environment

This week: 08/03/19

March 8, 2019 by charlottebarbour No Comments | Category Climate Change

Women in the Rural Economy

In the run up to International Women’s Day, the Scottish Government posted a series of blogs looking at the important and diverse role women play in driving and supporting Scotland’s rural economy.

The series ended with a post from Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon, on her experience as a woman in politics and the rural economy.

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Rural Gender Pay Gap

Research funded by the Scottish Government indicates that the hourly gender pay gap decreased everywhere in Scotland, but only in mainly rural local authorities were women paid slightly more. However, women in islands and more remote local authorities still saw a gender pay gap of 4.5% in 2018.

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon said:

“It is clear from this research that while there is still much to be done to eliminate the gender pay gap, I am encouraged that it has again decreased.

“This reduction in mainly rural local authorities also seems to be driving Scotland’s overall reduction in the pay gap, especially as some rural authority areas are presenting a more positive picture than that found in large cities or urban areas.

“However, this research also clearly highlights the scale of the challenge before us and the need to make sure our rural economy better supports women retain and gain well paid jobs. Equality for women is an integral part of our inclusive growth vision and we are determined to improve the position of women in the workplace.”

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Convention of Highlands and Islands

The Convention of Highlands and Islands (CoHI) took place in Orkney on Monday and Tuesday of this week, where the main topics of discussion were access to transport links, maximising the marine economy, and the impacts of Brexit on rural communities.

Future of Fisheries

The Scottish Government has begun a national conversation on how the fisheries industry should be managed. Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing met fishermen in Orkney to present our discussion paper.

Read it here 

Change the Change

Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham spoke at Change the Change International Climate Change conference in Spain, during which she highlighted Scotland’s world-leading role in tackling climate change and stress the importance of working collaboratively with European neighbours.

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Tags: climatechange, environment, fishing

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