Peak rail fares scrapped ‘for good’, First Minister John Swinney announces

Peak rail fares are to be scrapped “for good”, First Minister John Swinney has announced as part of his programme for government.

The Scottish Government had re-introduced peak fares last autumn, following a year-long trial without them, saying the policy did not deliver value for money.

But it left the door open to scrapping them again once finances allowed.

Delivering his legislative programme for the next year, Swinney said Scotland’s finances were in a “stronger position”. “I can confirm that, from 1 September this year, peak rail fares in Scotland will be scrapped for good,” he said.

The programme for government was brought forward from its usual September slot to allow for a full year until the 2026 election.

It contains six new bills set to be introduced and passed by parliament before dissolution at the end of March.

But the Tories described it as “flimsy” and Scottish Labour said the lack of new ideas was “embarrassing”.

Ministers will bring forward legislation to regulate non-surgical cosmetic procedures, to clarify the law on digital assets as property, and to reform some aspects of contract law.

The delayed and watered-down Heat in Buildings Bill will also be brought forward.

This is in addition to two bills left over from the last programme for government – the Building Safety Levy Bill and the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill – which will be introduced before recess, as well as the 14 bills already undergoing parliamentary scrutiny.

The government confirmed last week it had shelved plans to ban conversion therapy and a misogyny bill, with Swinney saying these will be introduced in the next session of parliament.

Away from legislation, the first minister confirmed primary care services will receive a larger share of total NHS funding and committed to increasing GP numbers. There will be an expansion of the Pharmacy First service and a target to deliver 100,000 more GP appointments.

A new export plan will be brought forward to diversify and grow markets, in light of the challenging global environment and US tariffs, while a “proof of concept fund” will be established to support the commercialisation of research projects.

Swinney urged the UK Government to give the green light to the Acorn carbon capture and storage project in the north east, saying his government would remove the cap on funding it would invest.

A fresh child poverty delivery plan will also be published in the coming year, with the first minister confirming ministers “remain on track” to lift the two-child benefits cap next April.

He said: “Over the past year, amidst real challenges, amidst deep uncertainty on the global stage, progress has been made. In ways big and small, a corner is being turned. This is a government that is working hard and determined to get Scotland on track for success.”

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay dubbed the programme “flimsy” and “more of the same”.

He accused Swinney of failing to deliver “for the past 18 years”, pointing to promises broken by the SNP such as on GP numbers.

Findlay urged the Scottish Government to “reduce the painful tax burden”, namely income tax.

Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar said the programme was evidence of the SNP “running down the clock” on its time in office, adding it contained “no recognition” of issues in the NHS and schools.

“After 18 years in power, and what could be John Swinney’s last year in government, is that the best he can do? It’s embarrassing,” he said.

Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater welcomed the plan to end peak rail fares and called for “more brave decisions” on public transport, including a cap on bus fares.

Her party secured a trial bus fare cap, to run from January next year, as part of the recent budget negotiations.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton argued that delays in the planning system were resulting in not enough affordable houses being built, which was having a knock-on impact on businesses’ ability to recruit skilled workers.