Plans to transform Scottish Water into an industry leader in renewable electricity  and to scrap the "double jeopardy" rule which prevents a person standing trial twice for the same crime headlined the SNP’s final programme for government ahead of Holyrood elections in May.

 

The measures were among 10 bills laid out by First Minister Alex Salmond to MSPs in his first speech to parliament following the summer recess.

 

Other proposals included: the setting out the SNP's latest spending plans in the Budget Bill, the Forced Marriage Protection Bill to improve civil remedies for those under threat from forced marriage, The Private Rented Housing Bill aimed at weeding out landlords who abuse legislation, the Health (Certification of Death) Bill to streamline death certification procedures, the Public Records Bill, the Electoral Administration Bill, the Long Leases Bill and the Reservoir Safety Bill.

 

The First Minister said the range of proposals “builds on our significant achievements to date and sets a clear and ambitious course for the years ahead.”

 

Outlining his plans for Scottish Water, Mr Salmond said: “If we give Scottish Water room to grow, then we have the makings of a great Scottish company, in public ownership.

 

“We are entrusting the management to build on their proven track record with a gradual expansion of functions, not to dilute their existing success, but to seize the growth opportunity in exploitation of the key commodity of the 21st century and beyond. So we will bring forward legislation to enable Scottish Water to play this role.

 

“Currently Scottish Water is the largest consumer of electrical power in Scotland. We intend to give it the power to instead become one of the largest generators of renewable electricity in this land.”

 

Salmond also made the case for increased financial powers to be devolved to Holyrood by Westminster, adding: “Now that we face an economic hurricane, never was the case for independence and financial responsibility more obvious and true. What Scotland truly needs is not a funding formula whether Barnett or Calman. Scotland needs control of its own resources and the ability to grow revenue rather than just expenditure. We need control over both sides of the Scottish balance sheet.”

 

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray criticised Salmond’s record during his term of office, saying key proposals had continually failed to get off the ground.

 

“Every year Alex Salmond’s programme has at its centre a major policy. A core promise which he commits to absolutely.

 

“Each year his grand scheme comes to nothing. Let us see if his Water Bill survives or evaporates like so many previous programmes.”

Gray said the central issue in the coming months was the economy, and called on the government to publish a draft budget, adding: “Alex Salmond has talked the language of economic growth, but every year he has failed to deliver”.

 

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott levelled the same charge at the First Minister, saying economic growth has stalled under the SNP despite Salmond talking the talk.

 

He accused the government of running away from its responsibilities, and said Scotland needed an administration determined to build and strengthen it.

 

Annabel Goldie, leader fo the Scottish Conservatives, accused Salmond of “rhetoric”, and labeled the proposals “the final nail in the coffin” of his political credibility.

 

“His fantasy politics promising free money to first time house buyers bit the dust; so too did manifesto pledges on class sizes, health checks for 40 year olds, PE provision in schools and replacing the student loans system. The Scottish Investment Fund is an embarrassing non-event and The Gathering’s promised benefit to business has left a trail of angry creditors. And to cover his failures, this is a First minister who will spend the next nine months whining about the powers he doesn’t have, rather than using the ones he does.”