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As another New Year dawns, I鈥檇 like to pass on my best wishes for 2024 to my fellow Scots at home and abroad.

As we get ready to make our resolutions for the year to come, it is also time to take stock of the departing 12 months.

Looking back,聽we have worked hard on our mission to level up communities聽across Scotland.

Creating聽equality of opportunity for all聽-聽regardless of background聽鈥撀爃as been our ambition. Our levelling up initiatives are doing this by helping people and their neighbourhoods聽flourish.

Listening to local communities - and working closely with the Scottish Government and councils - is bearing fruit on our investments.聽

In 2023 we broke through the 拢2.9 billion barrier聽when it comes to UK Government聽levelling-up investment in聽Scotland.

Among the highlights of the last 12 months have been the creation of two Freeports with a UK Government investment of 拢26 million each, one on the Firth of Forth and the other on the Cromarty Firth. 聽

These were followed by the establishment of two Investment Zones in Glasgow and the North East, both of which are benefitting from聽up to 拢160聽million each from the UK Treasury.

Businesses聽in聽these areas will get special tax breaks and other support to help them flourish and create jobs.

Seven Scottish towns are receiving 拢20 million each as part of our Towns Fund. Levelling Up Partnerships have also been set up which will result in Dundee, the Western Isles, Argyll and Bute and Dumfries and Galloway receiving 拢20 million each. This funding will help transform these communities, boosting investment and jobs.

And 2023聽saw the announcement of two further rounds of the聽Levelling Up Fund, which will pay for multi-million-pound community investment right across Scotland.

Along with my ministerial colleagues in the Scotland Office, Malcolm Offord and John Lamont, it has been great to visit many of these projects and see for ourselves the difference they are making.

Reflecting on 2023, it would be remiss of me not to mention the Scottish Government鈥檚 Gender Recognition Reform legislation. The decision to issue a Section 35 Order for the first time in the history of devolution was not one which I took lightly. But when faced with proposals that would have an adverse impact on reserved equalities legislation I felt there was little option other than to act. I strongly believe the comprehensive judgement issued by Lady Haldane in the UK Government鈥檚 favour entirely justifies this stance.

Scotland is famous across the world for our culture and sport. We were delighted to contribute to the arts scene by contributing almost 拢9 million to the world-famous Edinburgh festivals.

I was thrilled that Scotland鈥檚 men鈥檚 team qualified for next year鈥檚 European Championships.聽It was a pleasure to welcome Steve Clarke to Dover House when we hosted a reception marking the 150th聽anniversary of the Scottish Football Association. Like all Scotland fans I鈥檓 tremendously excited by the thought of our team going to Germany in 2024.

A highlight of 2023 for so many was the Coronation of King Charles III. As Scottish Secretary I was greatly honoured to play a small part in an uplifting and moving ceremony which marked the beginning of a new era in the history of the United Kingdom.

I know聽that for聽many people聽the last few years have been extremely difficult. We are still feeling the impact of the Covid pandemic and Vladimir Putin鈥檚 illegal war in Ukraine has put pressure on our economy. Under the leadership of Rishi Sunak, the UK Government has made great strides in bringing inflation down. And just as the broad shoulders of the UK Treasury provided unprecedented support during Covid, we have provided unprecedented financial help to tackle the cost of living crisis.聽Our 拢105 billion funding package is providing each household with an average of 拢3,700 in support.

By working together as one United Kingdom we can withstand the challenges the coming months and years throw at us.

And, looking ahead to 2024, my resolution is to keep working to bring more prosperity and jobs to Scotland. With that in mind, I鈥檓 looking forward to the opening of the Perth Museum, backed by 拢10 million from the UK Government and which will be a splendid new home for the Stone of Scone.

We will also see the signing of the full growth deals for Falkirk and Argyll and Bute, partnerships in which we will invest 拢40 million and 拢25 million respectively. And yet more money for community projects as we continue our levelling up mission.

Happy New Year.

Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland