I have listened very carefully to the vision @JohnSwinney set out this morning for Scotland.
I welcomed, and embrace, his commitment to ensure internal respect for robust and divergent debate in the party, which is the lifeblood of any democratic institution like the SNP. /1 I was also greatly heartened by his drive to restore a sense of courtesy and dignity to the way we conduct ourselves as a party and as a Parliament. If we want to rewin the trust of the people, tone and language matter in the way we conduct ourselves. /2

After a tumultuous week, here are my observations on how we should move forward thenational.scot/politics/24282… 1/ We got here largely because the SNP Gov put their hands up and admitted that we would miss our climate change targets. Every MSP should be sitting down this week to work up a plan to achieve then - not indulging in navel-gazing, political clichés like votes of no confidence.

1/ Yesterday, @OBR_UK gave evidence to @SP_FinancePAC about the impact of UK Gov choices on Scot Gov Budget. Here's a few critical quotes (all lifted directly) and facts before debates start on next week's Scot Budget. PS: its worth reading in full: parliament.scot/api/sitecore/C… 2/ Tories chose tax cuts over public services. Richard Hughes: Chancellor had "windfall of about £27 bn, which he spent on two big tax cuts..He opted to cut two taxes in his autumn statement, rather than to try to protect the real spending power of public services."

This election is about independence, who is best equipped, and who has the best plan to achieve it. It is also about the society we want Scotland to be – where tolerance is the ruling ethic, poverty becomes history, equality of opportunity is the birth right of every child. /1 Over the last few days, questions have focused on my faith. I feel greatly burdened and heartsore that some of my responses to direct questions in the media have caused hurt to friends, colleagues and fellow citizens. That was never my intention, but I've listened carefully. /2

There’s a useful @AuditScotland report today on the financial response to Covid. As always, worth reading the report rather than relying on headlines and opposition rhetoric for the full picture. Here are some of the findings: 1️⃣ The Scot Gov spent more on Covid-19, than the funding we received from the UK Gov. That includes £5.2bn on business support, £1.8bn for councils and £5.7bn for health. NOTE: this report only covers funding up to Dec 21 (not the full year of accounts hence the gap).

A few reasons why Scotland can no longer afford to remain under UK Tory rule:

1️⃣ Under Tory mismanagement, the OECD has warned that the UK will have the worst economic growth of any G20 country bar Russia. 2️⃣ The Tory Brexit, rejected by a majority of Scottish voters, has caused food prices to rise by 6%, deepening the cost of living crisis for households.

independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…

A thread on the two funding announcements by the UK Treasury and what it means for Scotland’s budget ⬇️ 1. Both announcements are essentially ‘advance confirmation’ of funding. Last week’s announcement of £220m related to money we already knew about. Last night’s announcement relates to money that UKG intend to spend before the end of the year, which we didn’t know about.

A simple thread on Audit Scotland’s figure of £580m that’s been circulating on social media ⬇️ 1. Audit Scotland shows that of the £580m carried into this year,
➡️ £373m is resource (ie for day to day spend) which is 0.8% of the Budget
➡️ £207m is for capital (ie big infrastructure projects)

I've just opened a debate on economic recovery, clearly setting out our economic approach which is pro-prosperity, pro-business and pro-jobs. We want to foster entrepreneurship and make Scotland an even more attractive place for investors. /1 The Programme for Government sets out how we'll help to stimulate business growth by investing in infrastructure, supporting skills and funding innovation. It also reinforces our commitment to entrepreneurs, business leaders & workers who produce, create and provide services. /2

Yesterday, the Chancellor announced new funding for the Scot Gov. @ScotTories insisted it was spent immediately. Then it transpired it wasn't 'extra' money, leaving businesses confused & fed-up. It was a public example of the internal budget battles I've fought since March. /1 Forward planning is essential in a pandemic. But we can only plan with the funding we have at that point in time, because we are one of the only Govs in the world that can't overspend i.e. borrow. Funding is allocated to us, not according to need, but only when UKGov spends. /2

Following discussions yesterday, I again call for 80% furlough to be available when Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish businesses (not just English ones) need it, now or in future. If the UK Gov insist on retaining the financial levers to extend furlough, then they must deliver./1 The irony of the Scots Tory leader discussing the union this morning is not lost, after months of UK Gov disregard for our calls to extend furlough when business needed it most, with a mini extension only granted at the 11th hour when one part of the UK needed it. /2

I've laid the Scot Gov's Budget revision, showing investment of £4bn in responding to Covid. That includes £620m for the NHS, £2.3bn in business funding and £350m community support. We've responded quickly, and our financial support exceeds the UK Gov funding we've received. /1 Total received from the UK Gov is £3.5bn-its v welcome. Risk is that UK Gov funding is still estimates, as we discovered this week as £70m that had been promised by UK Gov was withdrawn. We'd already passed that funding on to businesses & charities, but now we won't receive it /2

No question that this is a tough time for jobs, livelihoods & businesses. We’ve introduced some business support that is Scotland-specific, which sits alongside the @GOVUK’s v welcome support for wages thru the Job Retention Scheme & Self-Employed scheme. /1 More small businesses can get a £10k grant in Scotland as the eligibility threshold, based on the small business bonus scheme, is higher. You can apply for a £10k grant with a rateable value of up to £18k, whereas the cut-off in rUK is £15k. /2

1/ Delighted the @ScotParl has agreed the income tax resolution today which will raise £12bn of revenue for

🚑funding our public services

🧳 investing in the economy

🌏mitigating climate change

👧🏻tackling poverty 2/ A majority (56%) of income tax payers pay less than they would elsewhere in the UK, as our plans protect the lowest and middle income earning taxpayers making it fairer and more progressive.