Seòmar agus comataidhean

I just want tangible examples.

Oh well.

The cabinet secretary has touched on this issue. Do you have an estimate of how much Covid knocked back all those plans? For two years, everything was practically on hold. I am not talking just about the finances; I am talking about the practicalities of delivery at a time when no one could move anywhere.

Even if it is for an island with one person?

If Cameron still cannot speak, convener, could we perhaps get a reply from him at some point?

I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer regarding local partners. Does the cabinet secretary have discussions or engagement with private and public sector employers regarding home working and, separately, regarding the provision, where practicable, of the 1,140 hours of free nursery care, including to home workers?

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to bring people with children back into work. (S6O-02262)

A recent YouGov poll has disclosed that only 9 per cent consider that Brexit has been a success, while 62 per cent consider it a failure. I am happy to take an intervention from Stephen Kerr on that point. No—he is in his seat.

I welcome Scotland’s overseas network of offices in Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Dublin, London, Ottawa, Paris and Washington, and the more than 30 Scottish Development International trade and investment offices in around 20 countries to promote co-operation in areas of devolved responsibility at the national and sub-national level.

I return to Scottish culture, one of Scotland’s greatest exports, which can support our wider international connections, including trading relationships. Tourism is based inextricably in our history and culture, and it is also a key economic contributor.

I will be a bit parochial here, representing, as I do, the Scottish Borders. We have the eclectic Abbotsford, home of the talented and colourful Sir Walter Scott, who did much to revive tartan, and Melrose abbey, where the heart of Robert the Bruce is buried. How many here know the weel-kent children’s song “Ally Bally Bee”, which, I would suggest, is the first-ever advertising jingle and was the creation of a Galashiels weaver, the mischievous confectionery trader Robert Coltart. Then there are the common ridings, which bring expats back to their communities.

We have the history, we have culture, we have those millions with Scottish ancestry across the globe, and we have the saltire, which is recognised the world over as the flag of Scotland, but we do not have our own voice.

I congratulate the Scottish Government on the international measures that it is taking, constrained as it is by devolution. However, I say gently to Willie Rennie—and certainly not gently to Stephen Kerr—how much more we could do with our independence.

Scotland, notwithstanding some dark moments in its history—its role in the slave trade and the British Empire, for example—has that lucky advantage on the world stage of being an instantly recognisable brand. It is identifiable as a nation even though we are not yet a completed nation—independent—and are therefore excluded from the United Nations and other international organisations and treaties.

It is not just about the piper on the shortbread tins, but do not underestimate shortbread or whisky: as Stephen Kerr indicated, global exports grew to more than £6 billion for the first time in 2022, according to figures released by the Scotch Whisky Association, up 37 per cent by value. All of that went into the UK Treasury coffers.

I hope that this is going to be worth while, Mr Kerr.