This month I gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee.

I was the first Cabinet member of the new UK Labour Government to appear before a Holyrood committee. It was fantastic to be there and is a clear sign of the reset of relations between the UK and Scottish Governments – working together to deliver for the people of Scotland. I was invited by the Committee to give evidence on the UK Government’s funding and governance relating to the City Region and Growth Deals programme, which is delivered jointly in Scotland with the Scottish Government, local Councils and other stakeholders.

I took questions from MSPs, and had a particularly valuable exchange with fellow south Edinburgh representative Daniel Johnson MSP, who is Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Business and Fair Work. It was a thoroughly good session and will hopefully go some way in assisting the Committee’s work.