Departing SNP Minister’s £33,000 Chilean Junket Sparks Controversy

Former SNP Minister Mairi Gougeon incurred a £33,000 expense on a trip to Chile for promoting Scotland’s aquaculture, amid budget cuts in Scotland. Despite the high cost, the government defended the trip as vital for economic growth. Opposition parties condemned the spending amidst pressing local issues, questioning the necessity and justification of such foreign trips.

A departing Scottish National Party (SNP) Minister accrued a substantial £33,000 bill during a two-week official visit to Chile in March 2022. Mairi Gougeon, the Rural Affairs Secretary, justified the trip as necessary for expanding a memorandum of understanding established at COP26 and promoting Scotland at AquaSur, a significant aquaculture trade fair.

Accompanying Ms. Gougeon were two civil servants, contributing to the overall expensive expedition, which was funded by taxpayers. Interestingly, the disclosed costs arose following a freedom of information request, revealing the trip’s total cost of £25,075.71 for official travel and expenses, alongside £8,186 attributed directly to the ministerial costs.

In April 2022, Ms. Gougeon traveled to Barcelona, incurring additional expenses of £3,028, with her officials contributing an extra £1,023.17. This spending occurred amid considerable financial difficulties faced by the Scottish Government, including budget cuts affecting essential areas such as affordable housing.

The Scottish Tories criticized the extravagant expenditures, questioning the trip’s justification and asserting that taxpayer money should not support such travels when foreign affairs fall under Westminster’s jurisdiction. Deputy Leader Rachael Hamilton highlighted that there are pressing issues that warrant prioritization by SNP ministers instead of foreign excursions.

Ms. Gougeon’s engagement in Chile was covered by the Scottish Government on their LinkedIn, emphasizing her attendance at AquaSur and discussions on sustainability in aquaculture with international counterparts. Scotland, a leading global salmon producer, benefits greatly from this sector, valued at over £1.8 billion.

A Scottish Government representative defended the trip, asserting that ministerial participation in major international events is crucial for promoting the Scottish economy. They reaffirmed the commitment to sustainable practices and highlighted discussions on emissions reduction related to wetland restoration.

Significantly, Ms. Gougeon announced her intention to step down at the next Holyrood Election after a considerable tenure as an MSP and as Rural Affairs Secretary, during which she faced criticism from various sectors, including farmers and fishermen.

The significant expenditure by departing SNP Minister Mairi Gougeon during her official trip to Chile raises critical questions regarding the appropriate use of taxpayer funds within the context of the Scottish Government’s financial constraints. The trip, while aimed at promoting Scotland’s aquaculture sector, has attracted substantial criticism from opposition parties who assert that such international trips are unwarranted amidst pressing domestic issues. Ultimately, this situation underscores the ongoing debate regarding government spending priorities and accountability.

Original Source: www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk