Scotland's Economy
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Big in Japan – the 200 year old Mack
10th May 2013 by John Swinney MSP
Almost 200 years on since Scotsman Charles Macintosh invented the process of rubberising cotton, his namesake coat is still one of Scotland’s best known products. In fact, it’s not only the Scots who have continued their love affair with the ‘mack’. Around the world the Mackintosh raincoat has become a major player in the luxury...
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Stronger Scottish and Japanese life sciences links
8th May 2013 by Professor Asada, Kyoto University
Geographically the cities of Kyoto and Edinburgh are far removed. Intellectually, culturally and economically our two cities are becoming ever closer. That proximity was further reinforced this week when Scotland’s Finance Secretary John Swinney met with key Japanese businesses working in the field of stem cell research and regenerative medicine here in Kyoto. The links...
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State of the Economy
15th March 2013 by Dr Gary Gillespie
This State of the Economy Report comes after a disappointing 2012 – a year when it had been hoped that economic fortunes would improve and momentum would finally return to the global economy. However, the economic outlook is more positive than this time last year. The Report focuses on the business sector, as in a...
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Public reform in action
13th March 2013 by Derek Mackay MSP
Yesterday I visited a project that showed me how innovative and creative ideas can provide real opportunities for our young people. I visited the Streetleague project in Glasgow which exemplifies the Scottish Government principles of reform. Simply put, it delivers improved outcomes for local people through partnership working and a focus on prevention. Streetleague specialise...
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International Women's Day
8th March 2013 by Angela Constance MSP
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, as well as acknowledge the challenges they continue to face at home and abroad. In my day to day work as Minister for Youth Employment, I am always struck by the educational accomplishments of the young women that I meet. For example, a...
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Scotland's strong financial foundations
6th March 2013 by John Swinney MSP
One of the most commonly asked questions in the debate over Scotland’s future is about our economy, whether we can afford to be independent and what it means for our economic future. Over the coming months we will be answering those questions, setting out Scotland’s finances as they are, the economic opportunities ahead of us...
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Another thousand opportunities for young people
1st March 2013 by Angela Constance MSP
I attended a very special event this week – ‘The Gathering’ – a key date in the calendar for the third sector in Scotland. It’s a massive annual event that brings together Scotland’s social enterprise and voluntary organisation community. The third sector are valued partners in our endeavours to boost youth employment. They have a...
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Labour Market Statistics
22nd February 2013 by Angela Constance MSP
I am not much of a ‘blogger’ but labour stats day comes but once a month, every month, and press releases, media interviews and 140 characters on Twitter don’t give you the bandwidth to express in detail what you feel and think of the latest statistical release. I have often said that tackling unemployment for me...
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Scottish EDGE helps aspiring businesses
18th February 2013 by Sir Tom Hunter
Anyone troubled by Scotland’s business start-up rates would have had a huge boost last week had they been at the EDGE judging panel. The EDGE – Encouraging Dynamic Growth Entrepreneurs – Fund has been led by John Swinney who deserves a watch for not only listening to the challenges start-ups face, but then doing his...
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Learning from small advanced economies
10th February 2013 by Dr David Skilling, Director at Landfall Strategy Group
As Scotland debates whether or not to become an independent country, there is value in looking to the experience of other small advanced economies. Many small economies have performed strongly over the past few decades; Norway, Sweden, and Singapore to name a few. The small advanced economies have held their share of global GDP constant...
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