LAST week the Scottish Government announced that fracking cannot — and will not — take place in Scotland.

This decision is supported by the results of a public consultation which indicated 99 per cent of Scots are opposed to fracking, highlighting the SNP government’s commitment to listening to the people of Scotland, and also tackling the big environmental issues.

The following day flexibilities to Universal Credit (UC) came into force allowing new claimants to have their payments twice monthly instead of once and to have the housing element paid directly to their landlord.

These changes implemented by the SNP government will help reduce some of the negative impact that full service UC is having on Scots.

Employability and Training Minister, Jamie Hepburn MSP, also announced that — using the new devolved powers given to Parliament under the Scotland Act 2016 — the Scottish Government will introduce its new devolved employability service from April 2018, Fair Start Scotland (FSS).

I asked the minister whether FSS would prioritise people with a higher need as many people suffered under the Department of Work and Pensions approach.

He confirmed this action will happen. He also revealed that Inverclyde, as part of the west region, will receive a share of £8.8m to deliver the programme.

 These developments have taken some time to research, design and deliver so when opposition politicians complain of not enough being achieved, then I would point them to this week as a fine example of delivery. 

This is what getting on with the day job is all about.