John Swinney

You have rightly identified that there must be a discussion about where power lies across these islands.

Your acceptance of the fact that majority support for independence in Scotland also means that a referendum should take place is welcome.

The UK Government's announcement of a trade ban on Israeli settlements is welcome and long overdue.

It has now been confirmed that the fire was started maliciously and the fact that that arose because of the spreading of misinformation that the accommodation was to be used by migrants is a further disgrace.

Anyone who is involved in the inciting of racial tension or stirring up behaviour that leads to the destruction of good accommodation is a disgrace and will be pursued by Police Scotland.

No, it's not. It's the complete opposite, bluntly.

What my objective in all of that is to do is to make sure that we have local authorities and local arrangements that are strategic enough to take big decisions about the issues that need to be wrestled with at regional level within…

Now, whether that’s the case or not, it is completely and utterly unacceptable, because wilful fireraising is a criminal offence in our society.

The cause of the fire is not yet known, there will have to be a full investigation by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

I regarded the bus fare cap as being a permanent part of what we deliver as an SNP Government.

Cost-of-living support is an essential part of the Government’s programme. I want to make sure that we provide assistance to people who are currently struggling financially within our society.

I want to reassure members of the public that the cost-of-living support we’re putting in place in the Highlands and Islands, and also in the Strathclyde area, will be rolled out across the rest of the country at the earliest possible…

I want to make sure at the earliest possible opportunity we roll that out to the rest of the country and that will be a priority for SNP ministers in the months ahead.

What we've got to work our way through is a programme of reform to make sure that we put people right at the very centre of the delivery of public services so they can see the enhancement in the provision of those services in their…

I cannot see us resolving the fundamental challenges facing social care without a single line of decision-making, accountability and funding, with the NHS taking the lead.

I want to make it clear to Parliament today that I will do everything I can, including giving the personal leadership to address this issue to make sure that violence is rooted out in our society.

Our ambition, and our intention, is that more people in Scotland get a home that they can afford.

I have been very open about the fact that I think public sector employment will fall over the course of this parliamentary term.

Some things are best resolved at national level. Some things are best resolved at regional level. Some things are best resolved at local level.

It's the complete opposite, bluntly.

That would not be my intention.

I've been very open about the fact that I think public sector employment will fall over the course of this parliamentary term, but fundamentally we have to deliver public services in communities with members of the public and in support of…

I can't put a specific figure on that today and I simply wouldn't be giving a comprehensive answer if that was the case.

It would not be my intention for people to travel further.

Nigel Farage is fundamentally unfit for office and he should resign.