Inquiry into the Scottish Government’s international work

Overview

The Committee is looking at how the Scottish Government engages internationally and what it wants to achieve from this work.

This includes both its EU and wider international engagement, its support for international development and how its external affairs policies interact with UK government policies in these areas.

Background to the inquiry

You may find the following information and links helpful in reading and responding to the Committee’s questions.

Before the elections in May 2021, the previous committee recommended this Committee should consider undertaking an inquiry into the Scottish Government’s external affairs policy.

The inquiry will cover how the Scottish Government should engage with the European Union and the rest of the world following the UK’s departure from the EU.

The Scottish Government’s engagement with the EU is set in the context of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) which manages some areas of the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU. You can find more information about the TCA in these frequently asked questions.

Share your views with us

To help the Committee with its inquiry, we would especially welcome your views on the following: 

• How should the Scottish Government engage with the EU and what should it seek to achieve from its engagement?
• How might the EU-UK TCA affect how the Scottish Government engages with the EU and how will that engagement interact with UK government policy in this area?
• What role should the Scottish Parliament have in scrutinising the operation of the TCA and how the TCA influences the Scottish government’s engagement with the EU?
• What should the priorities of the Scottish Government be in developing its external affairs work and overseas presence, including its international development policy?
• Does the Scottish Government’s budget for external affairs deliver value for money?
• Please elaborate. What principles should inform the Scottish Government’s international engagement (e.g. economic, democratic, human rights, climate change or cultural / ‘soft power’ priorities)?
• And should that engagement be based on geographical or policy focus? Please elaborate.
• How do the Scottish Government’s EU and international policies interact with UK foreign and diplomatic policy in these areas?

How to submit your views

Please submit your views using the online submission form, linked to below.

We welcome written views in English, Gaelic, Scots or any other language. 

The call for views closes at 5pm on 29 October 2021.