Chancellor told by devolved governments not to pass energy costs to households
Devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have urged the Chancellor not to pass the cost of an energy cap on to struggling families.
Devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have urged the Chancellor not to pass the cost of an energy cap on to struggling families.
Scotland's deficit has reduced by more than 10 percentage points from last year, but it is twice that of the UK as a whole.
The £700million to be raised for Scottish Government coffers through the ScotWind auction “must be used” for jobs and training, a trade union has urged.
John Swinney has been accused of “dithering” over a coronavirus quarantine exemption for oil and gas staff amid growing anger over a lack of clear answers for workers and their families.
Scotland’s deputy first minister John Swinney has come under fire for a renewable energy job prediction made nearly 10 years ago.
The UK’s energy minister has been urged to attend talks aimed at ending the “unfair” surcharge on electricity bills faced by thousands of north and north-east families.
The Scottish Government has been accused of being "all talk with very little action" after John Swinney attempted to "repackage" emergency relief announced for oil and gas workers four months ago.
The SNP’s finance chief has vowed a “strong and committed response” to help the struggling oil industry as he visited an Aberdeen factory that relies on the sector for 70% of its business.
The future prosperity of the oil and gas industry could be at risk if George Osborne fails to act on the challenges the sector is facing, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister has warned.
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister has warned the Chancellor against continuing to pursue “unnecessarily stringent fiscal targets” ahead of the Budget on Wednesday. John Swinney urged George Osborne to instead use limited borrowing to stimulate economic growth, after the Chancellor paved the way for fresh spending cuts, stating that savings equivalent to 50p in every £100 the Government spends need to be found by 2020.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney last night accused the SNP’s opponents of “celebrating the fall in the value of oil”.
John Swinney has called on Chancellor George Osborne to slash tax for offshore companies amid fears the North Sea industry could be finished without emergency measures.
Scotland’s economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter of last year, new figures have revealed. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the latest GDP data showed output had increased between July and September despite the “significant challenge” to key export markets. Over the year, Scottish GDP increased by 1.7% - but its growth was weaker than that for the UK as a whole, where increases of 0.4% and 2.1% were recorded over three and 12 months respectively.
The Scottish Government has cut funding for fuel poverty by more than a 10th, according to Labour.
John Swinney has launched a scathing attack on the UK Government over its "failure" to protect the oil and gas sector.
A Scottish hydro power scheme which could produce enough power for over 800 homes each year has been officially opened.
Urgent reform of the oil and gas tax regime is essential to encourage exploration and ensure the North Sea is competitive for investors, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said.