John Swinney: “I would obviously ask people in the region to follow all of the advice that is available and to respect the exclusion…”

Our approach will be guided by the values of inclusion, compassion and equality.

It is our ambition and intention to put more money in families’ pockets, building on what is already the most generous cost-of-living support package anywhere in the United Kingdom.

The necessity for the policy remains absolutely the same.

We will also focus on prevention, drive public sector reform where it is needed, and ensure investment is directed towards frontline services to improve outcomes for people and communities.