John Swinney to set out programme for government

John Swinney will set out his legislative plans for the year when he delivers his programme for government (PfG) to parliament later today.  

The first minister has brought forward his PfG to allow 12 months of delivery before the Scottish Parliament elections next year.   

At the opening of new Heineken offices in Edinburgh yesterday, Swinney said the programme will “accelerate action” to help businesses invest, create jobs and grow the economy.  

He described “global challenges” that are “causing real anxiety for businesses in Scotland that require an immediate response”.  

The first minister said: “That is why I have brought forward my programme for government, which will accelerate action to create jobs, drive investment and grow Scotland’s economy.  

“Growing our economy is central to improving people’s living standards, investing in public services, eradicating child poverty and tackling the climate emergency.  

“The programme for government that I publish tomorrow will set out action to support businesses during turbulent times and help make Scotland a more prosperous country.”  

Last month, during a press conference at Bute House, the first minister said the PfG “will be laser-focused on delivery” in the face of “anxiety” caused by US tariffs.   

He told members of the media the Scottish Government will set out its intention to improve access to GP appointments, cut NHS waiting times, raise more children out of poverty, and capitalise on economic opportunities from renewable energy.  

Swinney echoed those comments at the weekend, saying his plans for the 12 months ahead will “strengthen our health service and ensure more money stays in people’s pockets during this cost-of-living crisis”, adding that his PfG will make “Scotland healthier and wealthier”.    

The Scottish Conservatives have called for Swinney to prioritise repairing roads, end classroom violence, cut NHS waiting times and reduce taxes for working Scots.  

The party’s deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “The SNP must cut out the nonsense and finally focus on the priorities of ordinary Scots, who rightly feel ignored by the left-wing consensus at Holyrood.  

“That means dropping the nationalists’ fringe obsession with gender self-ID once and for all and concentrating on tackling classroom violence and mending Scotland’s crumbling roads.   

“It means restoring winter fuel payments to all Scottish pensioners, instead of funding free bus travel for asylum seekers.   

“It means reducing spending on NHS managers, so that more can be spent on frontline care, to tackle the GP shortages and the deadly waiting times in A&E and cancer treatment.”  

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the SNP government’s record “is defined by broken promises”.  

He said: “For 18 years John Swinney has been at the heart of this failing government and he cannot pretend otherwise.   

“John Swinney was the Education Secretary who failed to close the attainment gap, he was the Finance Secretary who refused to reform Council Tax, and he is the first minister responsible for the last year’s U-turns.  

“John Swinney was the man who broke it and now wants to pretend he is the one to fix it.”