
John Swinney MSP
Written 56 posts
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery (Previously: Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth; Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy; Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills)
Doing business in Japan
17th April 2012
I am writing this at the end of my first full day of meetings and visits in Japan with the team from Scottish Development International. In addition to a broad knowledge of the opportunities in the Japanese economy, they have developed real strength in the various sectors that matter to us; energy, life sciences, food and drink, textiles and working with our universities.
Budget debate
28th March 2012
The impact of last week’s UK Budget will be felt across Scottish business in the months and years to come. Today, the Scottish Parliament gets the chance to debate the measures, with a motion that “the Parliament is disappointed that the UK Chancellor’s budget is a missed opportunity…”
Government and Expenditure Revenue Scotland 2010-11
7th March 2012
Latest Government and Expenditure Revenue Scotland 2010-11, shows that, including a fair share of UK North Sea oil and gas revenues, Scotland contributed 9.6 per cent of UK public sector revenue, yet received 9.3 per cent of total UK public sector expenditure, including a per capita share of UK debt interest payments. And our population is 8.4% of the UK.
State of the economy
5th March 2012
The Scottish Government’s Chief Economist today published the quarterly State of the Economy report, which provides further evidence that supports my calls to the Chancellor to use the Budget to invest more in capital projects, take action to boost lending to business and build consumer confidence.
Open letter to business
24th February 2012
Last year, I wrote to Scottish businesses to assure them that the Scottish Government is doing everything possible within our current powers to ensure Scotland remains the most competitive place to do business in the UK.
Today I have written to our businesses to outline how our Budget maintains that commitment with 57% of Scottish business properties currently paying zero or reduced business rates bills.
Inverness Campus
21st February 2012
I was glad to see work getting underway on the new Inverness Campus as the project is already creating some exciting developments for the local economy, with more to come.
Budget for economic recovery
8th February 2012
I confirmed today that additional capital spending of £382 million for 2012 -2015, supporting around 5,000 jobs, has been allocated to support Scotland’s economic growth.
This is a Budget that boosts public sector capital investment, takes direct action to tackle unemployment, in particular youth unemployment and enhances economic security across the Scottish economy.
David Hume Institute Speech and Interview
3rd February 2012
I enjoyed the opportunity to talk to the David Hume Institute last night and set out Scotland’s economic opportunities under independence. The Scottish Government video team interviewed me at the event and audio clips of the speech and Q&A are available.
David Hume Institute
2nd February 2012
This evening I will address the David Hume Institute in Edinburgh. In the speech I will discuss Scotland’s position in the global economy and set out the Government’s vision for capitalising on new opportunities in global markets. My opinion pieces in the Financial Times and Scotsman outline some of the areas I will discuss tonight.
Samsung chooses Scotland
2nd February 2012
I welcome the news that Korean company Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) is to base its first European offshore wind project in Fife. The investment is worth up to £100m and is expected to create more than 500 new jobs in Scotland.