John Swinney to face FMQs after halting cash for arms companies supplying Israel

John Swinney will face questions from the opposition following his decision to pause funding to arms companies that sell weapons to Israel.

The First Minister announced a range of actions the Scottish Government is to take in response to the “unacceptable” situation in Gaza.

This included announcing a removal of support by Scottish Government officials and bodies from facilitating trade with Israel.

Swinney also announced a pause in new awards to arms companies whose products or services are provided to the Israeli military.

This included funding via Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish National Investment Bank. The cash, according to ministers, is usually provided for apprenticeships with arms firms.

The Palestinian flag has also been flown outside Scottish Government buildings.

The First Minister is also likely to be questioned on the latest drug death figures, which showed Scotland’s drug death rate remains the worst in Europe.

Deaths from drug misuse in 2024 dropped by 13% – or 155 deaths – to 1,017, according to the National Records of Scotland (NRS).

The decline follows last year’s 12% rise that saw deaths climb to 1,172. That was down from the peak in 2020 of 1,339. Nearly 11,000 people have died from drug misuse in Scotland in the last decade.