Tom Arthur

SNP MSP for Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley | Minister for Business and Fair Work | Promoted by Tom Arthur, 49 High Street, Johnstone PA5 8AJ

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

A strong economy is key to everything I want to achieve as First Minister.

We will make our planning system work better, expand apprenticeships and devolve powers to Regional Partnerships, helping to create more jobs.

Good to address the @ProsperScot Annual Forum today.

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

50 days until the Commonwealth Games return to Glasgow.

11 days until Scotland face Haiti at the World Cup.

And with our Summer of Sport programme, we are reducing barriers for young people to take part in sports, funding free and low-cost sporting activities across Scotland.

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

Chaired the Cabinet meeting earlier today and it’s a busy week ahead. This is how we are delivering on your priorities. 👇🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

The number of NHS operations is up on the year before, according to latest statistics.

Long waits are down for 11 months in a row, and we exceeded our target of 150,000 extra appointments and procedures.

More to do, but this is good progress. Thank you to our NHS staff. 👏

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

Scotland has enormous energy resources that should help lower our bills - but the powers to make these decisions remain at Westminster.

Decisions about Scotland’s energy should be made in Scotland, and last week Parliament endorsed that view.

More in my Record column today 👇

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

Great energy and a positive reception on the campaign trail today.

On June 18th, elect SNP MPs who will always stand up for Scotland - @thomsonrichardg in Aberdeen South, and @larabirdsnp in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

We are working hard to deliver on your priorities. In case you missed it, this week:

🏥 NHS long waits fell for 11th month in a row
🩺 Surpassed the target of 150,000 extra appointments
🏡 First Homes Fund to open by the end of June
🏴󠁧���󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Passed the vote on devolving energy powers

[First Minister @ScotGovFM]

Scotland’s renewable energy sector presents enormous opportunities for international investment.

First Minister @JohnSwinney attended the opening of @HitachiEnergy new UK Centre of Excellence in Glasgow, which will create around 100 specialised jobs in the city.

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

A majority in the Scottish Parliament has just backed our call to devolve energy powers to Scotland.

We can’t afford being tied to the failed policies at Westminster.

Scotland’s energy should work for Scotland - with the powers we need to help bring people’s bills down.

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

We are delivering the best cost of living support in the UK, and we will go further by capping bus fares and essential food prices.

But as energy bills rise again, the UK Government must stop dithering and act now. And if they won't, devolve the energy powers so that we can.

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

Labour promised to cut energy bills, but in July they are rising again.

People in energy-rich Scotland should not be paying some of the highest bills in Europe.

Scotland should control its energy - and today we will vote to demand the devolution of energy powers to Holyrood.

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

We are ensuring more affordable homes are built across Scotland, and we will help more people buy a first home of their own.

Our First Homes Fund will support first-time buyers with £10,000, with applications opening by the end of June.

The SNP will always be on your side. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[Scottish Government @scotgov]

Every child deserves the best start in life.

Quality early learning is at the heart of this.

Accessible childcare also helps parents and carers to work, or study.

We are committed to extending childcare support to every child from nine months old to the end of primary school.

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

People across Scotland will be deeply worried by another rise in energy bills announced today.

We produce enormous amounts of energy, yet despite Labour’s promises to cut them, bills keep soaring.

It’s time Scotland had control of Scotland’s energy.

[The SNP @theSNP]

The Scottish Parliament voted for Scotland to have the powers to hold an independence referendum.

Because Scotland’s future should be decided by the people of Scotland.

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

The Scottish Parliament has spoken. A significant majority of MSPs has voted to affirm the right of people in Scotland to decide their constitutional future.

This is democracy and it must be respected. Scotland’s future must be in Scotland’s hands. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

Today the Scottish Parliament will vote on whether Scotland should have the right to decide her future.

Whatever your view on independence, this is a basic democratic principle.

Scotland’s future should be up to the people who live here, not politicians at Westminster.

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

Latest stats show long outpatient waits in Scotland falling for the eleventh consecutive month.

And we have exceeded our target of 150,000 additional appointments and procedures - over 168,000 have been delivered.

Thank you to our NHS staff for all your hard work. 👏

[John Swinney @JohnSwinney]

I'm focused on delivering for people in Scotland. This week, we will bring forward plans to cut the cost of living, expand childcare and help first-time buyers.

And tomorrow, Parliament can back Scotland's right to hold a referendum on the fresh start of independence. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[Scottish Government @scotgov]

The Scottish Government will help drive a bold and ambitious agenda to support Scotland’s industrial heartlands, Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn has said.

He met former workers of Grangemouth refinery and Mossmorran plant and visited @CRL_UK which is creating nearly 150 jobs.