'LAST week saw us pass the landmark of 100 days since Nicola Sturgeon was sworn in as First Minister following May’s Holyrood elections.

And they have been a busy and productive hundred days for your SNP Government. A huge amount has been achieved, in that time.

We’ve announced 1,000 extra paramedics. 100 new GP training places each year. A&E waiting times in Scotland remain the best in the UK too.

We’ve launched our new delivery plan for education and new support for families, including a ‘baby’ box for every new born child.

We have a new jobs strategy and a new package to support Scotland’s businesses and stimulate our economy.

Of course, during that hundred days we have also had the EU Referendum and the massive threat to the Scottish economy and democracy posed by the possibility of our country being dragged out of the European Union against the overwhelming wishes of the Scottish people.

The extent of the economic threat posed by Brexit has been laid bare by recent research.

Analysis published by the Scottish Government, drawing on research by a range of external organisations, suggests that by 2030, Scottish GDP is projected to be between £1.7 billion and £11.2 billion per year lower than it would have been if Brexit does not occur. Tax revenue is projected to be between £1.7 billion and £3.7 billion lower.

In simple terms, that means that leaving the European Union is projected to cost the Scottish economy up to £11.2 billion per year and Scottish public finances up to £3.7 billion per year.

Efforts by First Minister to try and maintain Scotland’s relationship with the European Union – and to ensure that those EU citizens in Scotland knew that they were welcome and that their contribution to our society was welcomed – began the morning after the result was announced and Nicola Sturgeon has had a series of meetings with European politicians and diplomats from EU countries based here in Scotland.

Those efforts continued last week with the appointment of a new Minister to lead discussions with the UK Government on our future relationship with the EU.

Subject to the approval of his appointment by the Scottish Parliament, Michael Russell – as Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe - will report directly to the First Minister and will focus on ensuring the best interests of Scotland are represented and protected in all Westminster EU negotiations

In the period ahead of Article 50 being triggered, influencing the UK position will be crucial to our efforts to protect Scotland’s interests and our relationship with Europe, especially the single market. Michael is an extremely experienced and talented individual who is a great fit for this new role.

I hope you agree we’ve achieved a lot in just 100 days but there’s lots still to do - the job of Government goes on'.