Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon incurred a £33k bill during a two-week government trip to Chile for promoting Scottish aquaculture at AquaSur. The cost disclosed via a freedom of information request raised concerns over public spending, particularly during financial cuts. Criticism arose from the Scottish Tories regarding the appropriateness of the expenditure, while the Scottish Government defended the trip as vital for economic promotion.
A departing SNP Minister accrued a substantial £33,000 expense during a two-week government trip to Chile in March last year. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon justified the visit as an opportunity to enhance the memorandum of understanding established at COP26 and to represent Scotland at the AquaSur event, an international aquaculture trade fair.
Accompanied by two officials, this taxpayer-funded trip continued despite restrictions limiting foreign affairs engagements to Westminster, raising concerns about the cost to the public purse. A freedom of information request unveiled the total cost of the visit, including flights and accommodations, amounting to £25,075.71 for the officials and £8,186 for the ministerial expenses. This figure was significantly higher than the initially reported £7,880.
Following the Chilean trip, Ms. Gougeon additionally traveled to Barcelona, incurring a bill of £3,028 and further expenses of £1,023.17 for her accompanying officials. Gougeon, who recently announced her intention to step down at the next Holyrood Election, faced criticism due to her record in managing funding decisions impacting fishermen and farmers during her ten-year tenure as an MSP.
The Scottish Tories expressed outrage over the expenditure, questioning the necessity of such spending on international trips given the current financial constraints within the Scottish Government. They emphasized the need for SNP ministers to minimize costs on these jaunts and refocus on pertinent domestic issues affecting the populace.
In public announcements, Ms. Gougeon’s participation at AquaSur was highlighted as beneficial to Scottish aquaculture, with engagements involving aquaculture ministers from Norway and Chile. This sector, vital to Scotland’s economy, is worth over £1.8 billion, representing a significant export potential, especially to the United States.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government defended the trip, affirming the value of promoting economic growth through international engagement at key events. They stressed that the Cabinet Secretary’s attendance at AquaSur and discussions on wetland restoration aligns with Scotland’s efforts to mitigate emissions and achieve sustainable practices following agreements made at COP26.
In summary, the recent trip of Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon to Chile has sparked controversy due to its considerable cost amidst a period of financial strain for the Scottish Government. The necessity of such trips is under scrutiny, particularly in light of criticism from the Scottish Tories and the implications for domestic priorities. Nevertheless, the Scottish Government maintains that international engagement is essential for promoting key sectors such as aquaculture, which significantly contributes to the national economy.
Original Source: www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk
