Thank you. That concludes general questions. The next item of business is First Minister's

questions. And at question number one, I call Douglas Ross. Thank you very much,

President. The SMP launched a skills strategy in 2007. During that launch and part of the

strategy, they said this. Aarter Scotland is at the heart of everything

we want to achieve for this country. Now 17 years on we've got the report card on the

SMP's skills strategy. The OECD have published a report this week. It says there were multiple barriers to developing

skills in Scotland. It says the SMP government's engagement with employers is limited in

outreach and carers agencies remain fragmented. In a damning conclusion, the OECD state the link between the

SMP's skill policies and economic development is, and I use the OECD's word, weak.

Does the First Minister agree with the OECD that his Government's record on skills after 17 years

of the SNP being in power is weak?

First Minister.

The Government will look carefully at the OECD report, but I don't agree with that

conclusion.

The Government has invested heavily in the skills sector over many years.

Engagement with business is work which has been undertaken by a whole range of different organisations,

not least of which, by Skills Development Scotland, to make sure that we undertake

skills audits and localities, and that involves engaging with employers to make sure that we

understand the future skills needs of individual localities and to make sure that that is

provided for by the skills and development system within Scotland.

And obviously, when we look at the outcomes that have been achieved as a consequence of our investment,

we see young people who are involved in record positive destinations

...