There will be no rates for unoccupied new properties and tenants who take them on will be rates-free for the first year. If improvements are made to a property then no additional rates will be paid as a result of the improvement for 12 months. Eligible childcare day nurseries will also receive up to 100% relief, which ministers say is designed to support nursery provision throughout Scotland by reducing overheads for nursery owners, saving the sector around £6m next year.

Meanwhile Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has invited her counterparts from across the UK to a summit aimed at exploring the best way to introduce a bottle deposit return scheme. She said there are areas where working together is likely to deliver “greater benefits” UK-wide.

The UK Government announced a consultation on its own version earlier this week, and the Scottish Government is keen to share its knowledge on the matter, having apparently been planning a scheme for the past six months.

I saw such a scheme in action in Norway recently. Less litter too.