John Swinney

Because what I want to do is make sure that agriculture and farming has got a significant role to play in the economic growth agenda that’s at the heart of my Government’s agenda.

That’s the nature of the dialogue we’re going to take forward in relation to the content of the legislation.

I believe that the cap is needed to ensure that while the cost-of-living pressures persist, essential food items remain affordable to members of the public.

What on earth has the Conservative Party become, but a bunch of skivers in this Parliament?

We should all be very, very careful about what we say, because if we’re not we’re going to fall into the trap of the right-wing, malevolent individuals who are determined to sow division in our society.

I will make no apology for taking on Elon Musk.

I of course apologise to the young woman and her family concerned.

This would for me be a far more sensible defence strategy for this country

There should be greater investment in maritime conventional defence forces

We have actually got some capability to stand up to the threats we face from Russia under the Putin regime

The Westminster UK Government has failed for years to properly invest in adequate defence provision in our North Sea, leaving our energy infrastructure vulnerable

It was put in place by the Tories and it’s been kept in place by the Labour Party, and the answer to all of this is to make sure that Scotland’s energy wealth is in Scotland’s hands and that’s exactly what the SNP, and only the SNP…

What the SNP wants is to see the immediate removal of the energy profit levy, because that is stymieing investment in the oil and gas sector in the north-east of Scotland and is a direct threat to jobs.

I am obviously waiting to have that meeting with the Prime Minister, and the uncertainty about his position is perhaps influencing the ability to get that meeting arranged.

With that pressure removed, it gives us even greater opportunity to tackle the cost-of-living challenges that are faced by people in Scotland, and which are my absolute priority as First Minister.

Obviously, we’ve been arguing for some time for an end to conflict and fighting, and the fact that we are now in a situation where there is a peace deal in place is very welcome news.

It’s a win-win on both sides of the Atlantic, but fundamentally, it creates a great opportunity for the Scotch whisky industry to thrive.

I am extremely pleased to be seeking parliament’s agreement to recommend Ruth Charteris KC and BJ Gill KC as Scotland’s law officers.

It was important that we got the tariffs lifted with the agreement of President Trump to make sure that trade could flow effectively.

The removal of tariffs on Scotch whisky is an essential opportunity for the Scotch whisky industry, the Kentucky bourbon industry, and the cask industry to prosper and to expand.

I think, Presiding Officer, we should all take stock after the weekend and be very, very grateful for the tremendous inspiration given by the Scotland national team and by the Tartan Army, who are a credit to our country.

It was a particular pleasure for me to see our fans make such a positive impression in Boston and to capture the imagination and the interest of the city.

Let me begin by expressing the warmest congratulations of everyone in the Scottish Parliament and indeed the whole of our country at the outstanding performance of Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson, and the Scotland team and the Tartan Army who…

My visit to Kentucky aims to build on both that shared heritage and President Trump’s commitment to remove the tariff for whisky, in a very important overseas market for Scotch.

I have consistently made the case to exempt Scotch whisky from the 10% tariff and was pleased by the president’s announcement that he would remove the tariff for whisky following the state visit earlier this year.