John Swinney: ...impacted during the pandemic and the on-going cost crisis by increasing financial security for low-income households, enhancing the wellbeing of children and young people, and creating good, green jobs and fair work. That activity is supported by the themes of the Scottish Government’s national strategy for economic transformation and by work that involves support for digital recovery...
John Swinney: ...I was met with: “Good morning, Deputy First Minister”, which is always a nice warm welcome, from my friend Liz Smith. She then said: “I put it on record that I understand and accept that your job is much more difficult because of the difficulties that have been introduced by the Westminster Government, particularly with regard to the forecast.”—[ Official Report , Finance and...
John Swinney: ...those most affected during the pandemic. It focuses on increasing financial security for low-income households, enhancing the wellbeing of children and young people, and creating good green jobs and fair work. I co-chair the Covid recovery strategy programme board, alongside the president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. Together with partners, we oversee recovery activity,...
John Swinney: ...to maximise the opportunities that we have in Scotland’s different regions, and, in doing so, we must support the regeneration of disadvantaged communities, promote the creation of high-quality jobs, advance our fair work agenda and accelerate Scotland’s just transition to net zero. That sits at the heart of our plans for Scotland’s future economy. The announcement on green freeports...
John Swinney: ...the United Kingdom Government’s complex immigration system. The Covid recovery strategy, which aims to reduce inequalities and reform public services, includes a focus on creating good, green jobs across Scotland. The talent attraction and migration service will support our wider ambitions in that space by attracting and welcoming people with the necessary skills to contribute to a net...
John Swinney: ...actions that will support people across Scotland by increasing the financial security of low-income households, by enhancing the wellbeing of children and young people and by creating good, green jobs and fair work. The strategy also focuses on renewing public services to ensure that they meet the specific needs of people and communities. East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council,...
John Swinney: ...performance and migration, and the mind-numbingly damaging decisions that were taken in the mini-budget, which will create economic hardship for people in this country, who will lose homes and jobs as a consequence of the unnecessary increases in interest rates. Mr Beattie makes a strong argument. I am delighted to associate myself with it and to ensure that it will be put to the people of...
John Swinney: ...inquiry and to establish terms of reference—have been broadly supported across the chamber. Lady Poole has decided to resign and it is not for me to interfere in the running of the inquiry. My job now is to ask the Lord President to provide me with nominees for replacement judicial leadership, which I have done. I will resolve the leadership of the inquiry as quickly as I possibly can. I...
John Swinney: ...70 actions that will support people across Scotland by increasing the financial security for low-income households, enhancing the wellbeing of children and young people, and creating good, green jobs and fair work. The strategy also focuses on renewing public services to ensure that they meet the specific needs of people and communities. For example, in Dundee, our best start, bright...
John Swinney: The Covid recovery strategy is focused on reducing systemic inequalities and includes commitments to support the creation of good, green jobs and fair work in Scotland. Businesses play an important role in that aspect of recovery, and the Scottish Government has prioritised support for business. For example, in February 2022, the Scottish Government launched the £80 million local authority...
John Swinney: ...awarded the freedom of the city of Perth. It seemed a pretty fair exchange for the great honour that had been bestowed on Perth. That morning, I had been on the radio dealing with the prospect of job losses at the Hall’s of Broxburn sausage factory. When I was introduced to the Queen, I thought that she might ask me something about local matters of interest in Perthshire. She rather...
John Swinney: ...incurs has risen. At the same time, our budget is now worth around £1.7 billion less than it was worth in December. That alone would require the budget to be revisited, but in times of crisis the job of the finance secretary is not simply to balance the books; it is also to find the money to help families, to back business and to fund the priority projects that improve lives for the long...
John Swinney: ..., which brings together a range of partners to co-ordinate activity, increase financial security for low-income households, enhance the wellbeing of children and young people, create good green jobs and fair work and deliver person-centred public services.
John Swinney: ...5 May: “don’t reward this toxic, out of touch, corrupt Tory Party with your vote.” What is the Labour Party now doing? It is rewarding the “toxic, out of touch, corrupt Tory Party” with jobs at West Lothian Council and the City of Edinburgh Council. The Labour Party and the Tory party are working together. Vote Labour—get Tory. [ Interruption .]
John Swinney: ...—was to apply £700,000 of new money in cost of living measures to support my vulnerable constituents. What was the first act of some Labour authorities around the country? It was to give new jobs to the Tories—that is a disgrace for the Labour Party.
John Swinney: First, I want to express my very warm thanks to the test and protect workforce, who have done an absolutely phenomenal job during the pandemic, in difficult circumstances. When many of us were working from home, many of the individuals in that workforce were working in very challenging conditions. I agree with Mr O’Kane that it is important that we learn from the experience of the pandemic....
John Swinney: ...clearly the outcomes that we will improve for communities. We will increase financial security for low-income households, enhance the wellbeing of children and young people and create good green jobs and fair work through a package of targeted actions. Alongside the president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, I chair the Covid recovery strategy programme board, and we met...
John Swinney: ...Ayrshire growth deal, which will see transformational investment in projects across Ayrshire to support long-term inclusive growth. Regional partners estimate that the deal will create 7,000 new jobs and unlock an additional £300 million from the private sector.
John Swinney: ...each area. For example, the Glasgow city region deal empowers Glasgow and its city region partners to identify, manage and deliver a programme of investment to stimulate economic growth and create jobs in the area, thereby supporting the region to achieve its shared long-term vision for the local economy. The Government is actively involved in dialogue on the city region deal, and we will...
John Swinney: ...who have been most affected during the pandemic. Our actions will increase financial security for low-income households, enhance the wellbeing of children and young people, and create good green jobs and fair work. We are working closely with our partners to deliver that strategy. Alongside the president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, I chair the Covid recovery strategy...