2 June 2015

The First Minister launched the Scottish Business Pledge – the Scottish Government’s new social and economic partnership for growth – during a visit to Tynecastle Stadium, the home of Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

The football club was one of the first businesses to sign up and the First Minister met the club’s chair and chief executive Ann Budge to discuss the pledge.

FM @NicolaSturgeon meets @JamTarts owner Ann Budge ahead of launching the Scottish Business Pledge. #scotbizpledge pic.twitter.com/Bkyq4Yafn0

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) May 26, 2015

Hearts commit to Scottish Business Pledge Heart of Midlothian | News http://t.co/A2TvwHVVnc

— Heart of Midlothian (@JamTarts) May 26, 2015

The Scottish Business Pledge is a new voluntary code for companies to commit to fair and progressive policies that boost productivity, recognise fairness and increase diversity.

Other early signatories include GSK, Virgin Money, Agenor, Hymans Robertson, Strata Cleaning and LogicNow.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also told business delegates about the Scottish Government’s economic priorities.

A day ahead of the Queen’s Speech, she said she would continue to oppose the UK Government’s austerity agenda and would fight to protect Scotland’s membership of the EU.

If the UK government sticks to spending cuts, we will argue for ways in which the impact on Scotland can be lessened says @NicolaSturgeon.

— James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) May 26, 2015

Nicola Sturgeon @ScotGovFM confirms wants "double lock" in EU referendum so Brexit not possible unless all four nations vote for it

— norman smith (@BBCNormanS) May 26, 2015

Ms Sturgeon also said she would seek additional powers for Scotland over and above the recommendations in the Smith Commission to help boost economic growth. She said:

 “These are not powers for their own sake – they are powers to enable us to work more effectively in partnership with business to boost growth, to increase investment, to support employment and to deliver better jobs.”