I WAS proud to pipe at the launch of the Glen Rosa last Tuesday – because despite the challenges that Ferguson Marine has faced during its build, it has been our friends, family, and neighbours who have worked on this vessel.

The strength in support from the community who turned out to see her launch highlights the support that the yard has within Inverclyde – and the workforce, both domestic and international, deserve credit for building the Glen Rosa.

Finally, as we’re now in the new tax year, I wanted to highlight new research which shows the average household in Scotland will pay less overall for council tax, water, NHS prescriptions and dental check-ups this tax year compared to those living in England and Wales.

The average Band D council tax in Scotland will remain at £1,417 for 2024/25 thanks to the SNP Scottish Government’s council tax freeze. In Wales, the average council tax for a Band D property is £2,024, and in England it is £2,171.

Scottish households will also pay less for water, with the average annual water bill costing £444 in Scotland, and £473 in England and Wales.

Whilst NHS dental check-ups and prescriptions are free for Scots, people in England and Wales face an increased £26.80 for dental examinations and £9.65 for prescriptions.

Overall, excluding dental examination and prescription costs, the average household in Scotland pays £783 less per year than the average household in Tory-run England, and £636 than their equivalent in Labour-run Wales.

This demonstrates what the SNP in government has been doing to keep money in people’s pockets and invest in public services during 14 years of imposed Tory austerity, Brexit and Westminster’s cost of living crisis.