Introduction
- The First Minister John Swinney unveiled his inaugural Programme for Government setting out the Scottish Government’s legislative plans for the year ahead.
- His statement followed yesterday’s announcement of £500m of cuts to balance the 2024-5 Scottish Budget, with those emergency measures setting the context for his speech and a somewhat slimmed down programme.
- At the weekend, the First Minister had addressed the SNP Annual Conference in Edinburgh – with delegate numbers noticeably down compared to previous years.
- Outlining his legislative plans, he said that the Scottish Government would focus its efforts and resources on four key priorities: eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate emergency, and ensuring quality and sustainable public services.
- Child poverty was “first and foremost” in these aims he promised to invest £1bn in childcare, reduce NHS backlogs, and improve/reform public services.
- John Swinney stated the commitments in were “practical not partisan” – encouraging other parties to work with the Scottish Government – and that they were “affordable, impactful and deliverable”.
- While there are a number of new Bills, many of the measures contained in the programme had been announced before and its truncated nature was perhaps not unsurprising given the need for fiscal restraint. The Programme for Government will now be subject to parliamentary debate by MSPs over the next two days.
Key Measures:
Tourism
· There was one cursory mention of tourism during the First Minister’s speech to parliament: “…Scotland is a country of many strengths. Our economy is founded on industries of global reach in energy, financial services, food and drink, tourism, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.”
Visitor Levy
· Support local authorities to implement the Visitor Levy – helping enhance the tourist experience and benefit local communities and their economies.
· Intensify work on designing a cruise ship levy and undertake the necessary public consultation.
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