First Minister John Swinney MSP has outlined his 2024-25 Programme for Government – which will prioritise action to eradicate child poverty, grasp the opportunities of delivering net zero, and grow the economy by investing in public services and infrastructure.
Eradicating child poverty remains the Scottish Government’s top priority as the First Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to continue to do all it can within the scope of devolved powers to tackle the issue.
Key announcements include:
- Investing nearly £600 million in affordable housing in 2024-25;
- £1 billion a year in affordable, high-quality and funded early learning and childcare;
- Social security investment of over £6 billion, supporting over 1.2 million people;
- Completing the national rollout of our Carer Support Payment, which will support over 100,000 carers this financial year;
- Commitment to increase funding for culture and the arts so that it is at least £100 million more a year by 2028‑29;
- Intensify work on designing a cruise ship levy;
- Opening a sixth Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service;
- Delivering our Disability Equality Plan to ensure the voices of disabled people are at the centre of policy and decision making;
- £120 million for continued mental health services improvements;
- £2.5 billion this year to support public transport services.
Commenting after the First Minister’s announcement, Stuart said:
“Against the most challenging financial backdrop since devolution, due to Labour’s commitment to austerity, the SNP Scottish Government has set out clear actions to deliver real change for the people we represent.
“Yet even when faced with unprecedented budgetary constraints, the SNP Scottish Government’s aim will be to improve people’s lives by focusing on clear priorities that make the biggest difference.
“The Scottish Government has already delivered an expansion of funded childcare, record investment in the NHS, renewable energy development, and the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment, which are strong foundations for this year’s Programme for Government.
“In Port Glasgow, families are benefitting from a Scottish Government funded pilot childcare hub to provide effective whole-family support in a place-based way that works for people.
“I particularly welcome plans to tackle economic inactivity and skills shortages in our workforce and remove barriers to employment, as this has been a key focus of the Inverclyde Taskforce which I co-chair.
“This work includes leading a new, national approach to skills planning and introducing the Post-School Education Reform Bill to simplify the post-school funding body landscape.
“I’m also pleased that specialist support for disabled people will be enhanced across all local authorities by summer 2025, as I’ve recently been working with local disabled people and relevant organisations to try to improve our town’s accessibility provisions.
“This Programme for Government also prioritises economic growth – and whether it’s from tourism, to finance and technology, to food and drink exports, the Scottish Government will work to create growth, create jobs and maximise the huge economic opportunities that lie ahead.
“However, the reality remains that were Scotland an independent country, we would not be paying the price for bad decisions taken at Westminster – because it’s now clear that no matter whether it’s the Tories or Labour, austerity will continue.
“With limited powers and against the backdrop of Westminster cuts, the SNP is delivering economic growth – but with the full powers of independence we could do so much more.”
