John Swinney says Scots should continue to be 'good global citizens'

John Swinney has said Scots should continue to be “good global citizens” as he reaffirmed Scotland’s commitment to international development.

Speaking to MSPs at Holyrood on Tuesday, the First Minister stood by his determination to increase international development and humanitarian crisis funding to £16m per year by the end of the parliamentary term.

He also announced the Scottish Government’s support for the international “Cancel Debt, Choose Hope” campaign.

“I raise my own voice, my government’s voice, and Scotland’s voice, in support of finding a fair, long-term solution to the global debt crisis,” he told MSPs.

“We will continue to be good global citizens. Scotland, as it always has, will continue to play her part.”

Swinney’s statement follows his visit to Zambia and Malawi last week, during which he saw some of the projects and partnerships supported by the Scottish Government’s international development programme.

“Our international development and humanitarian crisis funding reached nearly £13m this year. And we stand by our commitment to increase it to £16m per annum by the time this parliament ends,” Swinney said.

Scotland also offers international support through its response to global humanitarian crisesand from its climate justice fund – a total commitment of roughly £25m.

“Like every other member of this Chamber, I know full well that we are in the midst of the most challenging fiscal situation since devolution, and times are tough for households and businesses across Scotland,” the First Minister said.

“My focus on resolving those pressures within the powers of this Government is unwavering, but it is possible, indeed necessary, and right for Scotland to play her part in global issues and the global challenge that we face.”

The First Minister said the “global debt crisis” and unsustainable debt repayments are consuming resources that “should be used to build schools, hospitals, and climate-resilient infrastructure” in the global south.

“Borrowing can be a vital tool for economic growth and development, but when borrowing grows too much or too quickly, it becomes problematic,” he said.

“And this is what is happening across developing countries, where total public debt reached a record $29 trillion in 2023. Climate change is exacerbating this problem.

“The Global South should not be forced to choose between repaying their creditors and helping their communities to recover from storms and droughts.”

He said Scotland has “consistently advocated” for other countries to follow its example of giving funding for loss and damage as grants, not loans, so that countries can recover from extreme climate events without taking on additional debt.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay slammed Swinney’s Government for “focusing on foreign affairs when there are so many challenges here in Scotland”.

“Foreign affairs is not in the First Minister’s remit,” Findlay said.

“He says that we must be ‘of good global citizens’, but we are. As part of the United Kingdom, we have a proud record helping those in need.

“It’s time that John Swinney focused on the many serious issues that he’s responsible for here in Scotland.”