Tag: First Minister

MSPs to quiz First Minister

Holyrood’s Committee Conveners is to quiz the First Minister on her Government’s programme and priorities. In what will now be a bi-annual 90 minute session, the First Minister will face questions on a broad range of issues. The session will take place at 12.30pm on Wednesday (18 April).

Speaking as the session was announced, Chair of the Conveners Group, Christine Grahame MSP, said: “Committees often hear from Government Ministers and officials as they undertake detailed scrutiny of legislation and policy. However this session enables Conveners to question the First Minister directly on the broad spectrum of the Government’s programme.

“There are relatively few opportunities for Conveners to question the First Minister in this way so the addition of an extra session each year is a welcome development.

“This session is not about political theatre. It is an important mechanism through which Parliament can hold the Government to account and I expect Conveners will make full use of the opportunity.”

The session is open to the public, and tickets can be booked via the Parliament’s Visitor Services. The session will also be streamed live on both Facebook and Parliament TV. To watch live, select Committee Room 2 on Parliament TV.

It will take place between 12:30 and 2pm, on Wednesdayl, and will be chaired by Deputy Presiding Officer Christine Grahame MSP.

The last session took place on 25 October 2017.

First Mentor initiative to run again

The ‘First Mentor’ initiative, which gives a young woman aged between 18-23 a chance to be mentored by the First Minister, will run again in 2018.  Following the success of the 2017-18 opportunity, a new round of applications opens today. Continue reading First Mentor initiative to run again

Scotland on track to recruit 27,000 Modern Apprentices

The push by employers to recruit more apprentices is on track to deliver 27,000 new Modern Apprenticeship starts by the end of this year, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has revealed. To end of December 2017, more than 18,700 apprentices were recorded as having started training across the country. Continue reading Scotland on track to recruit 27,000 Modern Apprentices

First Minister praises care and response services

The First Minister has praised the efforts and resilience of those involved in responding to the recent extreme weather conditions. The worst may be over, but Scotland is still expected to face difficult conditions at the start of the new working week. Continue reading First Minister praises care and response services

Burns Night: First Minister reflects on importance of Scotland’s national bard

Looking ahead to Burns Night 2018, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We’re very proud in Scotland that Burns Night is celebrated every year in towns and cities right around the world – from New Zealand to Norway and from Mexico to Malawi.

“Here in Scotland, there are events taking place the length and breadth of the country: from Dumfries’s Big Burns Supper, an 11 day festival, to Inverness’ Stramash – a celebration of Burns which this year has a special focus on children and young people. And of course Burns suppers will be taking place in homes and social venues throughout the land.

“I always think it’s remarkable and admirable that Scotland’s most celebrated national figure isn’t a politician, a soldier, or a king or queen, but is instead a writer – someone whose songs and poems have enriched millions of people’s lives.

“I think that says something about the continuing importance of culture in our lives. And of course it also highlights the enduring value of Burns’ work – the way his sympathy, humour and passion still speak profoundly to us today.

“For those qualities, and many more, Burns will be remembered and celebrated, ‘till a the seas gang dry.’

“So wherever you are, in Scotland or around the world, I hope you have a fantastic Burns Night.  And I hope you’ll join me in taking time to toast the immortal memory of the great Rabbie Burns.”

Information and tips on celebrating Burns Night is available online.

There’s a local opportunity to celebrate the life and works of Rabbie Burns at North Edinburgh’s very own Community Ceilidh on Saturday 3 February at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.

Tickets are still available – see below for details:

 

 

 

First Minister pledges support to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to support the work of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) in 2018 after visiting the charity’s exhibit at Holyrood and meeting with its Chief Executive. Continue reading First Minister pledges support to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

Say It With A Kiss: First Minister’s Christmas Card unveiled

John Byrne painting will raise funds for charities

A painting by John Byrne has been unveiled as the First Minister’s 2017 Christmas card. ‘Say It With A Kiss!’ is an original artwork in Byrne’s celebrated trademark style. It features a couple about to share a kiss under the mistletoe. The artwork will be auctioned next year with the proceeds going to four charities – Food Train, SCIAF, Scottish Women’s Aid and Teapot Trust.

SCIAF and children’s art therapy charity the Teapot Trust were chosen by John Byrne, while Food Train, which provides a range of services, to older people including grocery shopping and befriending and Scottish Women’s Aid were selected by the First Minister.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have such a beautiful painting by John Byrne for my Christmas card this year. He is one of our most celebrated artists and this work has a wonderful festive feel while maintaining John’s inimitable style.

“The four charities that will benefit from the sale of the painting do fantastic work on local, national and international levels and I’m very pleased that the card can support such a wide range of good causes.”

John Byrne, while best known as a playwright for his trilogy The Slab Boys, is also a renowned artist, with several of his works exhibited in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

He said: “I was both surprised and delighted to be commissioned by the First Minister to produce the artwork for this year’s Official Christmas Card and got to work straight away – I had a notion to paint a young couple from my boyhood days in Paisley, having a great time jiving to the music of Jimmy McCracken’s ‘Big Band’ at the Town Hall c1957 dressed in the style of the day, with a nod to the Festive Season.”

Since 2007, artwork from the First Minister’s official Christmas cards has raised around £170,000 for good causes through sales of the original paintings and limited edition prints. Proceeds from this year’s auction will go to the Archie Foundation, SiMBA, Christine Witcutt Memorial Fund and The Dixon Community.