John Swinney has called on FIFA to end dynamic pricing for World Cup tickets after supporters were hit with eye-watering costs to follow Scotland this summer.
The First Minister has written to FIFA President Gianni Infantino urging him to introduce a fairer ticketing model, warning that too many members of the Tartan Army risk being priced out of Scotland’s first men’s World Cup since 1998.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “The Tartan Army are the greatest supporters in the world, and have waited almost 30 years for the World Cup.They should not be priced out by dynamic ticket pricing.
“I’ve written to FIFA to urge fairer and more affordable prices. Football should be about fans, not finances.”
Full letter from the First Minister to FIFA President Gianni Infantino:
Dear Gianni Infantino,
As you will know, this summer Scotland will return to the men’s World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Our victory against Denmark led to the most remarkable scenes as people across Scotland celebrated one of the proudest moments in our recent sporting memory.
Steve Clarke and the team have instilled a sense of confidence and pride in our country that only our national game can bring.
That incredible moment for our nation will live long in the memory and in just a few months’ time thousands will embark on a trip to America to follow Scotland in our games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil and, with a bit of magic from the boys, beyond that too.
Our Tartan Army has the chance to see our men’s national team at a World Cup for the first time in decades, but our historic return has been marred by FIFA’s dynamic pricing model that has made the trip simply unaffordable for so many loyal supporters.
This model has made this the most expensive World Cup in history and it is the opposite of what football, and indeed the biggest sporting occasion on the planet, should be about.
Scotland fans, travelling across the globe, are entirely justified in calling for you to put an end to this pricing model, particularly during a cost of living crisis when people are really struggling. I am urging you to act to introduce a fair, affordable ticketing model for fans going forward.
Scotland gave birth to our beautiful game and its management has been entrusted to you. But as you know football belongs to fans. It is now imperative you take responsibility to ensure that remains the case.
Delivering extra appointments and procedures for patients
Health boards will receive an additional £25.5 million this year to allow them to deliver more planned care appointments and procedures to reduce long waits for patients, First Minister John Swinney has announced.
The additional funding will support the delivery of more outpatient appointments and inpatient/day case procedures across a variety of specialities including orthopaedics, dermatology, general surgery and gynaecology. Cardiology and paediatrics will also get extra funding.
This new support takes total additional investment to £135.5 million in 2025-26 to help the National Health Service maintain progress on reducing waiting lists.
Recent figures show the total list size and longest waits are coming down. There has also been an increase of more than 31,000 appointments and procedures from April to September this year compared to same period in 2024.
Speaking during a visit to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, the First Minister said: “The latest figures show our plan to support Scotland’s NHS is working, delivering real benefits for patients.
“We have already provided £110 million of additional targeted funding this year to tackle the longest waits. Now we are providing a further boost to deliver more appointments and procedures, taking the total additional funding to £135.5 million for 2025-26.
“I am determined to build on the progress being achieved by hardworking staff in our health service, like those I met today at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. We want to help them provide the care and treatment patients need and expect – and we are already seeing results.
“Not only are the total list size and longest waits coming down, but we are treating more people than last year. There is still work to be done, but these are very welcome improvements.
“Under my leadership, the people of Scotland can expect a strong National Health Service delivering patient care of the highest possible quality.”
The additional £25.5 million will be shared between the following health boards:
Ayrshire and Arran
Fife
Grampian
Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Highland
Lanarkshire
Lothian
Shetland
Tayside
In NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, as at 30 September 2025, new outpatient ongoing waits over 52 weeks had decreased by 17.6% and inpatient/day case ongoing waits over 52 weeks had decreased by 5.7% compared to the previous month.
First Minister writes to Scottish Labour Party Leader
Following news the UK Government will invest in Grangemouth’s future, First Minister John Swinney has written to Scottish Labour Party Leader Anas Sarwar inviting him to vote for the 2025-26 Scottish Budget in a “spirit of cooperation” and deliver investment worth almost £90 million to support jobs at the site.
I welcome the response from the Prime Minister to my call last week for the UK Government to provide support for Grangemouth.
I know you share my concern that the decision to close the Grangemouth refinery is premature and fundamentally short sighted and the UK Government’s commitment to additional investment is a step in the right direction. We all have a responsibility to work collaboratively to secure Grangemouth’s long-term future, its workforce and Scotland’s transition to net zero.
My announcement last week that the Scottish Government will make a further £25 million available to enable businesses to bring forward investable propositions for Grangemouth, will be put to Parliament as an amendment at Stage 3 of the Budget Bill tomorrow.
This funding will be made immediately available from the beginning of the next financial year without requiring match-funding.
I hope that when the UK Government provide more details on the announced £200 million being available through the National Wealth Fund that this will also be available for timely deployment on a similar basis as the funding I have set out and that these funds align to best support a just transition for Grangemouth.
In that spirit of cooperation, I trust that you and Scottish Labour colleagues will now be in a position to vote for the Budget at Stage 3 tomorrow and work constructively to deliver the nearly £90 million investment for Grangemouth, supporting the jobs, livelihoods and businesses which depend on it.
Vision for progress in St Andrew’s Day address ahead of 2025-26 Budget
First Minister John Swinney will use an address ahead of St Andrew’s Day to outline his vision for government – and his determination to deliver government from the ground up.
The First Minister will set out the need for collaboration and consensus-building to deliver solutions to some of the problems facing communities in Scotland.
Speaking ahead of next week’s Scottish Budget, the First Minister will commit the Scottish Government to prioritising funding and investment needed to build on his four priorities – eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, investing in public services and tackling the climate emergency.
The First Minister is expected to say: “Scotland is best served when we collaborate, when we build consensus and work together across sectors, across disciplines and across cultures.
“The need to do so has never been more urgent. For the issues we face now are complex, pervasive and entrenched – and they are mounting.
“In these last seven years, we have seen global challenges stacked upon global challenges. From Brexit and COVID-19, to international conflicts, economic crises and climate disasters.
“On top of this, we have seen domestic problems, such as delayed discharge and the availability of housing, become more and more acute, due to rapidly increasing need in our society.
“Yet, too often – and particularly in politics – discussions and the public discourse are dominated by surface solutions, because they are the few that can gain consensus.
“The temptation then arises to throw money and strategies at a problem, or simply to find someone to blame for it, because the hard work of finding true consensus, of peer reviewing ideas in good faith, can feel unrealistic in our increasingly polarised reality.
“We must maintain enough hope and energy to work together, to understand the root causes and the complexity of problems and to find the right solutions.
“These solutions may not always be quick or easy – but that does not make them any less necessary. This is the approach that people should expect from a Swinney government.
“I want to bring people closer to their communities, which is particularly important in a country like Scotland, where the picture in the Central Belt or the Borders can be so different to the Highlands or the Islands.
“Being closer to our communities also makes it easier for us to bring those communities into policy-making: government from the ground up.”
Marking a year since Israeli forces began their ground invasion of Gaza, First Minister John Swinney said: “The ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is now entering its second year. The horror, suffering and killing we have watched unfold in Gaza in real-time, on such a devastating scale, has now spread across the region.
“The need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is at the heart of reaching wider peace in the Middle East, and we must see the unconditional release of all hostages.
“International recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine, as part of a two-state solution, is also a fundamental pillar upon which we can build lasting peace.
“There have been repeated breaches of international law and violations of human rights since the conflict began, and Israel must stop blocking essential humanitarian aid from reaching wounded and starving civilians who are surviving in nightmarish conditions.
“I repeat the Scottish Government’s calls for an end to all UK arms sales to Israel.
“Tens of thousands of lives have been lost, and millions more have been directly affected by this catastrophe.
“I stand with our communities in Scotland who have lost loves ones and face the daily torment of not knowing if their family members will make it through the day.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a speech in the Downing Street garden today on fixing the foundations of our country
When I stood on the steps of Downing Street – just over there – two months ago. I promised this government would serve people like you.
Apprentices. Teachers. Nurses. Small business owners. Firefighters. Those serving our community and our country every day.
I promised that we would get a grip on the problems we face. And that we would be judged by our actions, not by our words.
I said before the election – and I say it again really clearly today: Growth.
And, frankly, by that I do mean wealth creation…
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is the number one priority of this government.
That’s why, in our first few weeks, we set up the National Wealth Fund –
because we want every person and every community to benefit.
It’s why we’ve unlocked planning decisions –
Because we are going to build 1.5 million new homes.
It’s why we’ve set up Great British Energy –
To create good jobs and cut people’s bills.
And it’s why we ended the national strikes that have crippled our country for years.
Because I defy anyone to tell me that you can grow the economy…
when people can’t get to work – because the transport system is broken.
Or can’t return to work – because they’re stuck on an NHS waiting list.
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And these are just the first steps towards the change that people voted for.
The change I’m determined to deliver.
But before the election I also gave a warning.
I said change would not happen overnight.
When there is deep rot in the heart of a structure, you can’t just cover it up.
You can’t tinker with it or rely on quick fixes.
You have to overhaul the entire thing.
Tackle it at root.
Even if it’s harder work and takes more time.
Because otherwise what happens?
The rot returns.
In all the same places.
And it spreads.
Worse than before.
You know that – I know that.
That’s why this project has always been about fixing the foundations of this country.
But I have to be honest with you. Things are worse than we ever imagined.
In the first few weeks, we discovered a £22 billion black hole in the public finances.
And before anyone says ‘oh this is just performative’.
Or ‘playing politics’.
Let’s remember.
The OBR did not know about this.
They didn’t know.
They wrote a letter saying they didn’t know.
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Even just last Wednesday, we found out that
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We borrowed almost £5 billion more than the OBR expected in the last three months alone.
That’s not performative – that’s fact.
But as well as the things we’ve discovered, we’ve also seen shocking scenes across the nation.
A mindless minority of thugs – who thought they could get away with causing chaos.
Smashing up communities and terrifying minorities.
Vandalising and destroying people’s property.
Even trying to set fire to a building – with human beings inside it.
And as if that wasn’t despicable enough.
People displaying swastika tattoos.
Shouting racist slurs on our streets.
Nazi salutes at the cenotaph –
The cenotaph – the very place we honour those who gave their lives for this country.
Desecrating their memory….
Under the pretence – and it is a pretence – of ‘legitimate protest’.
Now they’re learning that crime has consequences.
That I won’t tolerate a break down in law and order under any circumstances.
And I will not listen to those who exploit grieving families, and disrespect local communities.
But these riots didn’t happen in a vacuum. They exposed the state of our country. Revealed a deeply unhealthy society. The cracks in our foundation laid bare –
Weakened by a decade of division and decline.
Infected by a spiral of populism…
Which fed off cycles of failures
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Stuck in the rut of the politics of performance.
And I saw the beginning of that downward spiral firsthand.
Back in 2011.
When riots ripped through London and across the country.
I was then Director of Public Prosecutions.
And when I think back to that time.
I see just how far we have fallen.
Because responding to those riots was hard – of course it was.
But dealing with the riots this summer was much harder.
In 2011, I didn’t doubt the courts could do what they needed to do.
This time – to be honest with you – I genuinely didn’t know.
Let me tell you this. Every day of that disorder – literally every day – we had to check the precise number of prison places we had and where those places were.
To make sure we could arrest, charge and prosecute people quickly.
Not having enough prison places is about as fundamental a failure as you can get.
And those people throwing rocks, torching cars, making threats.
They didn’t just know the system was broken.
They were betting on it.
Gaming it.
They thought – ‘ah, they’ll never arrest me.
And if they do, I won’t be prosecuted.
And if I am, I won’t get much of a sentence.’
They saw the cracks in our society after 14 years of populism and failure – and they exploited them.
That’s what we have inherited.
Not just an economic black hole.
A societal black hole.
And that’s we have to take action and do things differently.
And part of that is being honest with people – about the choices we face. And How tough this will be. And frankly – things will get worse before they get better.
I didn’t want to release prisoners early.
I was Chief Prosecutor for five years.
It goes against the grain of everything I’ve ever done.
But to be blunt – if we hadn’t taken that difficult decision immediately.
We wouldn’t have been able to respond to the riots as we did.
And if we don’t take tough action across the board. We won’t be able to fix the foundations of the country as we need.
I didn’t want to means test the Winter Fuel Payment. But it was a choice we had to make.
A choice to protect the most vulnerable pensioners. while doing what is necessary to repair the public finances.
Because pensioners also rely on a functioning NHS.
Good public transport.
Strong national infrastructure.
They want their children to be able to buy homes.
They want their grandchildren to get a good education.
So we have made that difficult decision –
To mend the public finances.
So everyone benefits in the long term –
Including pensioners.
Now that is a difficult trade off.
And there will be more to come.
I won’t shy away from making unpopular decisions now…
If it’s the right thing for the country in the long term.
That’s what a government of service means.
This shouldn’t be a country where people fear walking down their street.
Their TVs showing cars and buildings being set on fire.
This shouldn’t be a country where the Prime Minister can’t guarantee prison places.
This shouldn’t be a country where people are paying thousands more on their mortgage.
Or waiting months for hospital appointments they desperately need.
Where our waters are filled with sewage.
Where parents worry that their kids won’t get the opportunities they did.
Where nothing seems to work anymore.
So, when I talk about the inheritance the last government left us…
The £22 billion black hole in our finances…
This isn’t about a line on a graph.
That’s about people’s lives.
Your lives.
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This government won’t always be perfect, but I promise you this:
You will be at the heart of it…
In the forefront of our minds…
At the centre of everything we do.
That’s why I wanted to invite you here today.
To show that decent, hard-working people who make up the backbone of this country belong here.
This government is for you.
A garden and a building that were once used for lockdown parties…
Remember the pictures just over there? With the wine and the food.
Well this garden…
And this building…
are now back in your service.
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Those things happened precisely because the government itself lost its focus.
on the hopes and ambitions of working people.
During those recent riots, I made huge asks…
of the police and of the criminal justice system –
People already stretched to the limit.
They knew I was making big asks of them.
And I’m not going to apologise for it.
But let me tell you this – they delivered.
They deserve our gratitude.
And that’s why I went to Southport…
To Lambeth…
To Belfast…
To thank them personally. To shake the hands of the first responders who rose up to the ask I made of them.
They deserve a government that trusts them.
Supports them.
And works with them.
That is the sort of government we will be.
One that works with people, not does things to them.
One that believes in hard graft, not gimmicks.
Honest about the challenges we face…
And working tirelessly to fix them.
That is how we will always work.
Now, next week, parliament returns. The business of politics will resume. But it won’t be business as usual.
Because we can’t go on like this anymore. Things will have to be done differently.
We will do the hard work to root out 14 years of rot. Reverse a decade of decline. And fix the foundations.
Between now and Christmas, we will carry on as we have started. Action not words.
We will introduce legislation and take decisions to protect taxpayers’ money.
To take on the blockers by accelerating planning. to build homes and boost growth.
We’ll move forward this autumn with harnessing the full potential of AI for growth and the public good.
We’ll bring rail service into public ownership, putting passengers first.
The biggest levelling up of workers’ rights in a generation to give people security, dignity and respect at work.
And Great British Energy will be owned by the taxpayer, making money for the taxpayer. Producing clean energy and creating good jobs.
That is our focus for the rest of the year.
But I will be honest with you. There’s a budget coming in October. and it’s going to be painful.
We have no other choice given the situation that we’re in. So those with the broadest shoulders should bear the heavier burden. And that’s why we’re cracking down on non-doms.
Those who made the mess should have to do their bit to clean it up. That’s why we’re strengthening the powers of the water regulator and backing tough fines on water companies that have let sewage flood our rivers, lakes and seas.
But just as when I responded to the riots – I’ll have to turn to the country and make big asks of you as well.
To accept short term pain for long term good.
The difficult trade-off for the genuine solution.
And I know that after all that you’ve been through – that is a really big ask and really difficult to hear.
That is not the position we should be in. It’s not the position I want to be in. But we have to end the politics of the easy answer that solves nothing.
But I also know that we can get through this together.
Because the riots didn’t just betray the sickness. They also revealed the cure.
Found not in the cynical conflict of populism. But in the coming together of a country.
The people who got together the morning after. All around the country. With their brooms, their shovels, their trowels. And cleared up their community.
They reminded us who we really are.
I felt real pride in those people who cleaned up the streets.
Rebuilt the walls. Repaired the damage.
And I couldn’t help thinking about the obvious parallels.
Because imagine the pride we will feel as a nation.
When, after the hard work of clearing up the mess is done.
We have a country that we have built together.
Built to last.
That belongs to every single one of us.
And all of us have a stake in it.
Our hard work rewarded – a dozen times over.
Because we’ll have an economy that works for everyone.
An NHS not just back on its feet, but fit for the future.
Streets that everyone feels safe in.
No longer dependent on foreign dictators…because we’re producing our own clean energy right here.
And giving every child – wherever they come from. Whatever their background.The chance – to go as far as their talent will take them.
I won’t lose sight of that prize. I won’t lose sight of what we were elected to do.
And most importantly – I won’t lose sight of the people that we were elected to do it for.
Police Scotland continues to engage with our communities to offer reassurance following violent disorder in other parts of the United Kingdom.
Officers continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure any potential for violence or disorder in Scotland is identified quickly and responded to immediately.
Today (Wednesday 7 August, 2024) Chief Constable Jo Farrell met with the First Minister John Swinney MSP along Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie in Edinburgh.
Our Chief is also meeting with community groups in Glasgow to listen to their perspectives and offer reassurance.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie, Gold commander for our policing response, said: “We understand the concern and officers right across Scotland are providing reassurance to communities across the country through enhanced patrols and direct engagement.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure any potential for violence or disorder in Scotland is identified quickly and responded to immediately.
“Policing in Scotland has strong relationships with the public and we are grateful for the ongoing support of our communities.
“We are aware of a number of potential protests, and counter protests, over the coming weeks, which will be policed appropriately but we are not going to speculate on or add publicity to individual potential events.
“I would also encourage everyone to be responsible in their use of social media and not to share speculation or inaccurate information. Please think twice about what you read, share and believe from online sources.
“Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation, and our role is to ensure public safety while balancing the rights of protesters who wish to peacefully demonstrate. We encourage anyone with concerns or information to contact us through 101.
“Violence and disorder is not legitimate protest and anyone who engages in disorder will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.
“Our thoughts continue to be with those affected by the appalling violence which has been experienced in some communities and with our brave colleagues in UK policing.
“We continue to be in close touch with other UK police services should requests for support be required.”
FIRST MINISTER MEETS FAITH LEADERS
First Minister John Swinney has held positive talks to provide further reassurance to people across Scotland in the context of ongoing disturbances and disorder in parts of the UK.
The First Minister met with representatives of faith and refugee groups at Bute House this morning to show solidarity with communities around the country.
He then met with Scottish political party leaders and Police Scotland representatives to discuss the situation in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Speaking after the meetings, the First Minister said: “My positive meetings today were intended to provide reassurance that this is a time for solidarity and that we are united in our opposition to anyone who would seek to use disorder to divide people.
“I have drawn together faith leaders from across communities in Scotland to express our solidarity together – we respect each other and we want everybody to be safe within our society.
“I have also brought together leaders of political parties in Scotland for a briefing with Police Scotland to enable the police to set out the work they are undertaking to keep people safe in Scotland, should we face any events of the type that we have seen in other parts of the United Kingdom.
“The displays of violence, prejudice and Islamophobia seen in other parts of the United Kingdom have no place in democratic society, and I want to reassure people in Scotland that we have plans and preparations in place to ensure everybody is kept safe.
“We are absolutely not complacent and remain vigilant. I am in regular contact with the Chief Constable who has reassured me that Police Scotland has the capability and resources in place to respond should we face the same challenges.”
The First Minister met with representatives from the following faith and refugee groups this morning:
Scottish Hindu Foundation
Scottish Association of Mosques
Scottish Council of Jewish Communities
Senior Rabbi, Giffnock Newton Mearns Synagogue
Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society
Scottish Episcopal Church
Church of Scotland
Muslim Council of Scotland
Scottish Refugee Council
The First Minister also met with:
Jo Farrell (Chief Constable, Police Scotland)
Alan Speirs (Deputy Chief Constable, Police Scotland)
Gary Ritchie (Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland)
Douglas Ross MSP (Scottish Conservatives)
Anas Sarwar MSP (Scottish Labour)
Lorna Slater MSP (Scottish Greens)
Patrick Harvie MSP (Scottish Greens)
Alex Cole Hamilton MSP (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
The First Minister’s calling on social media giants to get their acts together and stop communities from being subjected to speculation and alarm@JohnSwinney met with faith leaders, political leaders and police chiefs at Bute House in Edinburgh earlier to discuss recent events pic.twitter.com/n2GcqZ6grd
Secretary of State for Scotland @IanMurrayMP has also written to reassure Scottish faith communities and underline there is no place in Scotland for racism, bigotry, or the politics of hate:
First Minister John Swinney will welcome new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to Scotland today.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the First Minister said: “I was really pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister on his first day in office and to congratulate him and wish him, and his family well.
“I look forward to welcoming the Prime Minister to Scotland where I hope to have constructive discussions with him on our shared priorities for the people of Scotland. This includes eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, prioritising net zero, and ensuring effective public services.
“I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to forge a positive relationship between our governments and for our part, the Scottish Government is committed to working constructively with the UK Government to build a better Scotland.”
WHATEVER your political allegiances. the relationship between the two governments is crucial to the people of Scotland. I’d like to think it will be more constructive than it has been in the recent past – Ed.
First Minister John Swinney has completed the appointment of his ministerial team. Consisting of 11 Cabinet Secretaries, including the First Minister, the Scottish Cabinet will be supported by 14 Ministers.
This reduces the size of the Scottish Government by four since the start of the year.
Ivan McKee has returned to Government as Minister for Public Finance. Minister for Parliamentary Business George Adam, Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees Emma Roddick, and Minister for Local Government Empowerment & Planning Joe FitzPatrick have stepped down from their previous roles.
First Minister John Swinney
Minister for Parliamentary Business Jamie Hepburn
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes
Minister for Business Richard Lochhead
Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison
Minister for Public Finance Ivan McKee
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth
Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise Natalie Don
Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans Graeme Dey
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance
Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan
Minister for Climate Action Gillian Martin
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop
Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie (reporting jointly to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands)
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray
Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto
Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd
Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy Christina McKelvie
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville
Minister for Equalities Kaukab Stewart
Minister for Housing Paul McLennan
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon
Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie (reporting jointly to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport)
Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson
Parliament will be asked to approve the new Ministerial appointments. A detailed breakdown of ministerial responsibilities will be published in due course.
