Scotland's Economy

  • Protecting our Consumers

    13th December 2016 by

    Having the correct information and advice empowers all of us as consumers, helping us to find the most competitive deals for goods and services, such as energy and broadband. It also reassures us that help is there if things go wrong, and that something will be done to tackle wider consumer harm and market failings....

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  • A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People

    3rd December 2016 by

    Making sure disabled people have access to decent incomes and fairer working lives is one of the key ambitions at the heart of our new disability delivery plan – A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People. The plan recognises that even in the 21st century many disabled people are still unable to live their lives as...

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  • National Consumer Week

    1st December 2016 by

    I am deeply concerned by research from consumer group Which? showing people in Scotland receive more nuisance calls than anywhere else in the UK. These calls are annoying for almost all of us. But for those whose circumstances make them particularly vulnerable – like older people who can be at home more – they can cause fear, distress and even financial loss. It’s a story I hear often as an MSP, and I heard it again this week, when I spoke to a woman who has had her confidence and her savings destroyed by a scam that began with an…

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  • Autumn Statement response

    24th November 2016 by

    Yesterday, the true cost of Brexit was revealed – and it is huge. Lower growth, lower tax revenues, higher borrowing, higher debt and, perhaps worst of all for family budgets, higher inflation. Here is what I had to say immediately after the Chancellor made his statement: .@DerekMackaySNP on #AutumnStatement: the real cost of Brexit is...

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  • Employability services

    23rd November 2016 by

    The third sector plays a significant role in delivering employability services in Scotland. Whether it is delivering end-to-end services across the employability pipeline, or providing specialist support for clients with particular needs, the sector has particular strengths in recognising the needs of the individual and is versatile in pulling together the multiple layers of support...

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  • Update on Modern Apprenticeships

    8th November 2016 by

    Today, Skills Development Scotland published positive statistics showing more than 12,500 Modern Apprentices have started work in Scotland since April. This is great news for both our young people and our economy. Modern Apprentices are an important part of our drive to increase skills in our workforce, bring in new talent, and support vulnerable groups...

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  • Living Wage Week 2016

    4th November 2016 by

    I am immensely proud that Scotland is leading the way on the Living Wage. As we approach the end of Living Wage Week, there are now 637 Accredited Employers in Scotland – more than 20% of the UK total.

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  • Building Scotland’s digital economy

    3rd November 2016 by

    Digital technology has fundamentally changed how we access information, learn, communicate and do business; it is vital to the future of our economy. Scotland prides itself on being a nation which is vibrant, inclusive, open and outward looking. We have to support and encourage the skills needed to seize new opportunities and participate in an...

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  • Small Business Bonus Scheme

    28th October 2016 by

    Scotland’s small and medium businesses are fundamental drivers in securing sustainable economic growth, which is why we are doing everything we can to support them by continuing our promise for Scotland to be the best place to do business in the UK. The Small Business Bonus Scheme can eliminate or substantially reduce the tax paid as business rates (also known as...

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  • Forestry summit

    23rd September 2016 by

    Today’s forestry event in Annandale – one of several rural summits I am holding across Scotland– is about listening to industry as part of my focus on building growth in our rural economy. In the case of forestry, this is an ideal moment as we have recently launched a consultation on plans to complete its...

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