My Articles
Cross-party statement on resisting the Tories’ toxic politics
Below is a joint statement signed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the Leader of Plaid Cymru Leanne Wood, and Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley, the co-leaders of the Green Party calling for progressive parties to work together to resist the ‘Tories’ toxic politics’. The countries of the United Kingdom face a spiralling political and economic…
by Girls must not be left behind when it comes to sport
Last week the First Minister and I were privileged to meet Scottish members of Team GB and ParalympicsGB at their homecoming in Edinburgh. Rio was Team GB’s most successful Olympics for over a century, and our Paralympians did even better than their medal haul in 2012. It was a great performance, not least because of…
by May’s 100 unanswered questions, 100 days on from the Brexit result
Today the SNP is publishing 100 Brexit questions 100 days on – it is by no means an exhaustive list, but is shows the sheer scale of uncertainty facing Scotland and the rest of the UK. The Prime Minister is today set to address the Tory conference on Brexit – she needs to take the opportunity to start delivering at least some of the answers.
by 5 ways Brexit could affect you
The UK Government is still unable to justify taking Scotland out of the EU against its will, or answer key questions on what Brexit will mean. It is clear, however, that Brexit will have serious consequences for our communities, businesses and public services.
Here’s how Brexit could affect you.
by Scotland’s manufacturing future
Nicola Sturgeon officially re-opened the Dalzell Scottish steel plant in Motherwell today. This follows decisive action taken by the Scottish Government earlier this year to secure a new owner, which safeguarded full manufacturing capability for the plant in the future. This isn’t the first time the Scottish Government has stepped up to protect a key…
by The UK Government must support the oil and gas sector
Oil and Gas UK’s latest economic report lays down a serious challenge to the UK government and exposes serious failings in their approach to supporting the North Sea oil and gas industry, at a time of sustained low oil prices across the globe. In contrast the Scottish Government is playing its part in supporting…
by Brexit and rural Scotland: what the Tories haven’t explained
It’s been months since the EU referendum and the Tories still haven’t explained what Brexit means and what the impact will be on our rural economy. Our rural businesses require certainty on vital EU funding and tariff-free trade. The inability, or unwillingness, of the Tory government to give this certainty is simply not good enough….
by Speech to Institute of Directors
It is a pleasure to speak here today. The Institute of Directors has demonstrated, over many years, an unswerving commitment to improving the quality of business leadership in Scotland and across the UK. Three hundred people a year in Scotland currently use your director development courses. You work closely with the Scottish Government to increase…
by What does “freedom of movement” mean and why is it important?
It’s now more than three months since the EU referendum and we still have no idea if the Tory government wants the UK to stay in the single market – putting at risk our right to travel visa-free across Europe.
by The Tories must take responsibility for the gross injustice of WASPI – and fix it
This Tory Government knows the price of everything and the value of nothing – it cannot be right that billions are spent on obscene nuclear weapons or on dropping bombs in Syria while millions of women born in the 1950s are denied the pension they are due.
by It’s the Tories who are actually making the case for independence
“No means we stay in” the EU. That was the message from Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson just days before people across Scotland cast their votes on independence two years ago. We all know now how that worked out. While I have spoken before about my deep disappointment of not achieving a Yes vote in…
by Our action on climate change
Yesterday I launched Scotland’s first Climate Week – a week of events and training aimed at inspiring people across the country to take action on climate change.
In Scotland we can be proud of the progress we have already made on climate change. We continue to lead the UK in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and have exceeded the level of our 2020 target, six years early.
by Our plan for Scotland: what it means for BME communities
The First Minister has set out the Scottish Government’s plans for the next year.
Here’s just some of the action we’re taking in government to support Scotland’s BME communities.
by SNP Growth Commission
In 2014, Scotland voted to remain in a UK that was part of the European Union. However, the result of the June 2016 referendum raises the prospect of Scotland being taken out of the EU against the stated will of the Scottish electorate. The resultant economic and social upheaval and damage to our international relationships…
by Our plan for Scotland: what it means for disabled people
Here’s just some of what we’re doing in government to support disabled people.
by Our plan for Scotland: what it means for LGBTI people
The First Minister has set out the Scottish Government’s plans for the next year.
On LGBTI equality, Scotland is already rated the best country in Europe, but there’s much still to do. Here’s just some of the action we’re taking to deliver equality for all LGBTI people.
by Our plan for Scotland: what it means for young people
The First Minister has set out the Scottish Government’s plans for the next year.
Here’s just some of the action we’re taking in government to support Scotland’s young people.
by Our plan for Scotland: what it means for workers
From support for the real Living Wage to tackling gender inequality in the workplace, here’s just some of the action the SNP is taking in government to create better quality jobs and fair work.
by Brexit: securing the best possible deal for Scotland
Scotland has benefited from membership of the European Union for decades, and I believe – as I have for all my political life – that EU membership was and remains the best option for Scotland Now however that membership and those benefits are under direct and severe threat as a result of a situation not of our making, and not supported by Scottish voters. As a nation, working with others, we must find the right way to counter that threat and secure the best possible deal in the coming negotiations both in Europe and within these islands.
by Our plan for Scotland: supporting remote and rural communities
Nicola Sturgeon has set out the Scottish Government’s plans for the next year.
Here’s just some of the action the SNP Scottish Government is taking to support Scotland’s remote and rural communities.
by Our plan for Scotland: what it means for older people
Nicola Sturgeon has set out the Scottish Government’s plans for the next year.
From making our NHS fit for the future to the concessionary bus pass scheme, here’s just some of the action we’re taking in government for Scotland’s older people.
by Our plan for Scotland: what it means for women
The First Minister has set out the Scottish Government’s plans for the next year.
Here’s just some of the action we’re doing in government to support Scotland’s women.
by Our plan for Scotland: what it means for businesses and our economy
The First Minister has set out the Scottish Government’s plans for the next year.
Against the backdrop of the economic uncertainty caused by Brexit, here’s what the Scottish Government is doing to support businesses, grow our economy and create jobs.
by Our plan for Scotland: supporting families
Nicola Sturgeon has set out the Scottish Government’s plans for the next year. Here’s just some of the action the SNP Scottish Government is taking to support Scotland’s families. We will expand free early learning and childcare, taking further steps towards doubling provision by 2020. New ways to support low-income families with upfront childcare…
by Our plan for Scotland: what you need to know
Nicola Sturgeon has announced the Scottish Government’s plan for the next year – the Programme for Government. It’s a plan that will ensure we keep delivering progress now and investment for the future.
by A prosperous Scotland with equal opportunities for everyone, no matter their background
Today we return to the Scottish Parliament for the beginning of a new term. It has not exactly been the quiet recess many will have hoped for after a busy election period, with the repercussions of a vote to leave the EU, a new and increasingly right wing UK Tory government and the continued squabbling of the Labour party to contend with.
by Speech: Let’s get on with the job
A warm welcome to all of you here today.
As we return to Parliament next week, after a summer in which the work has never really stopped, we have a big job ahead of us.
So to focus minds at the outset, let me remind you of the results of the most recent Scottish Social Attitudes survey.
by Nicola Sturgeon’s speech: getting on with the job
Today Nicola Sturgeon delivered a speech on Scotland’s future, and launched the first phase of the SNP’s new independence initiative.
Here are the key points from the speech.
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