The Scottish Government's Official Spokesman (SGOS) welcomed journalists to the briefing and ran through this mornings news releases and events:
The First Minister is in Dyce to open Omega Completion Technology's £2m purpose-build HQ for the oil and gas manufacturing company. The company also invested a further £250k in mew machinery to keep up with their growing order book. Mr Salmond welcomed Omega Technology's Scottish ingenuity and innovation which has led to great commercial success. He reiterated the importance of Scotland's energy sector as a source of jobs and economic growth.
Nicola Sturgeon announced Emirate Airline's plans to introduce a second daily non-stop flight for Glasgow to Dubai which will commence on June 1, 2012. The new route reflects the growth in demand for Emirate's service between Glasgow and Dubai and will generate up to 12 new direct jobs. Ms Sturgeon commented on the Scottish Government's strategy to support economic growth and to improve Scotland's international air connections. The expansion of this route provides an additional link to the is key gateway through which to boost trade and tourism opportunities with key global markets such as south and south-east Asia and Australasia.
John Swinney is in South Lanarkshire to meet young people benefitting from Forestry Commission employment programmes in Scotland. Mr Swinney will spend the morning with trainees who are gaining employability skills and experience by helping to improve one of Scotland's main cycle routes near Uddingston in South Lanarkshire. Sustrans National Route 75 of the National Cycle Network path is also part of the Clyde Walkway. The young people are strimming, tree thinning and pruning to help make the access route a more open and attractive place to use. Mr Swinney outlined the Scottish Government's allocation of £30 million of new resources to boost youth employment and to improve prospects for our young people. This is in addition to initiatives such as the record 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships per year, and 'Opportunities for All' to guarantee a training or learning place for all 16-19 year-olds.
Michael Matheson is touring a new £5.1 million purpose built Cardiac and Interventional Radiology Suite at Raigmore Hospital. Mr Matheson said the new suite is a huge step forward for patients and healthcare in the Highlands. The facility will deliver more sustainable, high-quality and continually improving health services closer to home so patients will benefit from new surgical techniques as well as being treated in the best possible surroundings.
FMSA issued a statement to journalists prior to the briefing regarding the First Minister announcing that at the Cabinet meeting this afternoon, there will be a scheduled discussion to put the finishing touches to the consultation document setting out the Scottish Government's detailed referendum proposals. The document will be published later this month, and will be subject to the normal period of public consultation.
Journalists asked a variety of questions around the announcement, which the FMSA confirmed may be answered once the Cabinet has had an opportunity to finalise the document.