Swinney seeks to understand 'barriers to progress'
First Minister John Swinney has pledged to "create the conditions for every person in Scotland to thrive", ahead of the Scottish Budget next week.
In a major speech to representatives from organisations across the public and private sectors Swinney said he believed in solving problems "from the bottom up".
He said: "I'm prepared to roll my sleeves up and the sleeves of my government to properly understand barriers to progress, and to find solutions."
Swinney is looking for support from opposition MSPs for the Budget, as he leads a minority administration.
