THE Scottish Government has said it “stands ready” to support at least 10 more Palestinian families after the UK Government announced it will resume a scheme to evacuate critically ill and injured children from Gaza.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Yvette Cooper, announced the resumption of UK-supported medical evacuations of seriously injured children and their immediate families from Gaza on Wednesday.
Cooper also confirmed the renewal of offering support for students from Gaza to take up fully funded scholarships at UK universities for the 2026/27 academic year.
It comes after the Scottish Government and campaigners pressured the Labour government to renew the schemes after 10 families arrived in Scotland from Gaza in October.
The children from Gaza are currently receiving care across NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Health Secretary Angela Constance welcomed the UK Government’s announcement that the Gaza medical evacuation scheme will resume, adding that no one should have to “endure the trauma and appalling conditions” families in Gaza have faced during the genocide.
“It is right that the UK Government will resume the Gaza medical evacuation scheme. The Scottish Government has repeatedly called for the scheme to continue so I welcome this announcement,” Constance said.
“Ten children and their families arrived in Scotland from Gaza last autumn and have been receiving treatment through the NHS, alongside wider support from local authorities. I want to thank all of the NHS staff, local authorities and communities who have been supporting families so far.
“No one should have to endure the trauma and appalling conditions that these children and their families have experienced. It is vital that Scotland is able to offer them care, safety, and support during such a difficult time.
“Our NHS stands ready to support at least a further ten children from Gaza, along with their families, and we will continue to work closely with NHS boards and local authorities to assess capacity and prepare for their arrival.”
First Minister John Swinney said last year that the Scottish Government is committed to supporting up to 20 ill and injured children from Gaza, along with their families, to receive treatment in Scotland.
The Scottish Government and campaigners welcomed the UK Government’s move to continue the scheme but added that the numbers are “vanishingly small” in the larger context of the genocide.
Alison Phipps – a professor at Glasgow University and Unesco chair for Refugee Integration – who has been involved in the campaign, said the continuation of the scheme is a “vital” step in the right direction.
However, she added: “It is no remedy for the urgent sanctions the UK Government needs to impose to discharge its obligations to prevent the continuing genocide”.
Phipps continued: “Some details on UK Government funding for this are also unclear but I hope that dependants and also eligible academics at risk with mobility awards can also be included from the outset.
“The UN Special Commission reported yesterday again that there is a continuing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. An evacuation scheme for highly talented students is small but vital step towards societal reconstruction but it is no remedy for the urgent sanctions the UK Government needs to impose to discharge its obligations to prevent the continuing genocide.”
