John Swinney jets off on another costly 'jolly' to India just DAYS after UK Government trade mission

John Swinney has been accused of wasting more taxpayers’ money on an overseas ‘jolly’ as he prepares to lead a Scottish business expedition to India – just days after the UK Government did the same. The First Minister will begin a week-long ‘trade mission’ on Tuesday as he leads a delegation including Scotland’s salmon and whisky industries. But representatives of both sectors are already in India this week as part of a UK Government trade mission led by ministers including Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander. As international trade is reserved to Westminster, it has led to claims that Mr Swinney’s trip – which will come at huge cost to the public purse – will be nothing more than a ‘photo op’. The First Minister previously came under fire for charging taxpayers nearly £45,000 for business-class flights for him and two close aides when he travelled to the United States for Scotland’s first World Cup fixture in June. Mr Swinney’s trip to India has raised eyebrows within the UK Government so soon after its three-day tour, which began on Monday. A Labour source said: ‘We know from his World Cup jaunt John Swinney likes a long-haul business class jolly on the taxpayer. The UK Government has done the hard graft on trade with India, so he’ll be able to focus on what he’s good at – a photo op.’ The Scottish Government has said that Mr Swinney’s trip to the country will ‘promote Scotland’s economic interests and strengthen partnerships in sectors including food and drink, renewable energy, education, tourism, culture and space’. John Swinney will be accompanied by the Scotch Whisky Association to India Among those attending his trade mission next week are the Scotch Whisky Association, Salmon Scotland, Scottish Chambers of Commerce and VisitScotland. The Scotland Office has said the trade mission follows the UK-India trade deal coming into effect and will ‘help Scottish companies seize the opportunities offered by one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets’. Representatives there include the Scotch Whisky Association, Salmon Scotland, Walkers Shortbread, confectioner Aldomak and crisp maker Growers Garden, as well as entrepreneur Mike Soutar, an interviewer on the BBC’s The Apprentice and member of the UK Government’s Board of Trade. Conservative MP Harriet Cross, the Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, said: ‘Scots will question why on earth Swinney is jetting across the world to India, when UK Government ministers are already leading a delegation covering the exact same issues. ‘International trade is reserved to Westminster, yet Swinney can’t help but play the statesman on the world stage. ‘After raiding the public purse for a plush business class trip to watch the World Cup, you’d think he’d have curbed his jet-setting lifestyle. ‘Instead of clocking up air miles, Swinney should focus on the real issues like the crisis engulfing our NHS as we approach winter.’ In the run-up to the trade mission, Mr Swinney will be in Aberdeen for the three-day SNP conference, which begins tomorrow, where he is expected to attempt to talk up the prospect of another independence referendum. Douglas Alexander is already on a trade mission to India with the UK Government Mr Alexander is on this week’s trade mission to India alongside Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Dame Angela Eagle, as well as metro mayors and a wide range of businesses. An unedifying row broke out between the UK and Scottish governments earlier this year when Mr Swinney attempted to claim the credit for persuading Donald Trump to lift US tariffs on Scotch whisky, despite industry representatives praising the ‘soft power’ of the King. The UK Government has said communities across the UK are set to benefit from £1billion in new deals from India, supporting jobs and driving economic growth. Ahead of joining the Asian trade mission, Mr Alexander said: ‘Scotland’s success in markets like India is supported by the strength, reach and influence that come from being part of the UK. Boosting export opportunities and encouraging inward investment in Scotland means real benefits back at home in economic growth and jobs.’ Mr Swinney said: ‘Scotland’s food and drink producers have spent years building relationships in India. This visit is about turning those relationships into real opportunities for businesses, ensuring Scotland is well placed to benefit from trade and investment links with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.’ A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The trip will focus on strengthening relationships with India to develop opportunities for businesses, universities and institutions, as well as supporting jobs, investment and growth.’