Jenny Gilruth

Some decision-making is best delivered at national level and regional level while others better sit closer to communities and we must get that balance right.

We need to ensure investment is focused on frontline delivery, with the right staff in the right roles to empower communities and deliver real improvements in public services.

Reforming Scotland’s public sector is about delivering the best public services for people across Scotland.

The issue of council tax is challenging. We exist in a parliament of minorities.

The public feel very strongly about their public services, and that’s quite right.

I would like us to have a more democratic approach to decision-making in Scotland, absolutely.

That’s not normal in most workplaces, and I think we need to be mindful of what that does to the nature of political debate.

We’re living in much more hostile times, that actually it is much harder for women to operate in a much more combative political environment than existed, for example, when I was first elected.

The significant increase in income tax revenues shows that the decisions which this Government has taken are helping to deliver additional funding for measures to ease the cost of living like the Scottish Child payment, free prescriptions…

The latest GERS stats show that total and devolved revenues grew faster than spending – showing in particular that in the areas where our Government has control, we are delivering sustainable finances.

With the powers of independence we would be able to chart a different path, ensuring we grow the economy to allow Scotland to reach her full potential.

GERS provides notional estimates for Scotland’s deficit as part of the UK – it simply does not show what an independent Scotland’s position will be.

I am quite hardened to it now, it is a kind of normalised part of our workplace that you wake up every morning and you will see abusive comments online, for example.

Things have changed and I think ultimately that is probably to the detriment of women and minorities.

The impact in the capital has been significant at a time when the August festivals are getting underway.

This fire has caused widespread difficulties in Edinburgh, not just in the city centre but extending north into Leith and Newhaven, as business and commuters adjust to the disruption caused by the fire.

I hear the point. I think ultimately this is a matter for the council to lead on.

This has been a constant programme of engagement between my officials and between Edinburgh Council officials in relation to the support they wanted.

Increasing investment into Edinburgh’s Festivals forms part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase culture funding by £100 million annually by 2028-29, ensuring the benefits and chances to participate are enjoyed across the…

These festivals also send out a clear message that Scotland is an open and welcoming country, reinforcing how the culture and arts sector occupy such an important place at the heart of our national identity.

These festivals also send out a clear message that Scotland is an open and welcoming country.

Edinburgh’s festivals provide a global platform for Scotland and for all the talented performers who take part.

This is the latest step in our mission to ensure Scotland’s devolved tax system works for every corner of the country.

Our progressive approach to taxation helps to target investment in economic growth, deliver public services and support cost-of-living measures not available elsewhere in the UK, such as free tuition, free prescriptions and our plans for a…

A key part of making that economic growth a reality will be getting the framework right on non-domestic rates.