In the face of an improving economic picture - with the Scottish economy outperforming the UK - the SNP Government will publish its Programme for Government tomorrow.
Delivering for Today, Investing for Tomorrow will build on policies unveiled in last year’s programme and further policies to be taken forward in the coming year, including significant new announcements on the economy, mental health, and social security.
Commenting ahead of the launch First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP said:
“Over the past year we have again delivered significant improvements for the people of Scotland. Last year’s Programme for Government contained ambitious policies which have been widely praised both in Scotland and beyond our shores. Now is the time to build on those ambitions.
“Our relentless focus on building a sustainable economy is ensuring that Scotland’s economy is going in the right direction, with Scottish growth and productivity rising faster the UK.
“We have seen major infrastructure programmes delivered and I will set out plans to increase this investment in the years ahead.
“Over the past year, we became the first country in the world to implement minimum unit pricing for alcohol and launched the first delivery plan aimed at eradicating child poverty by 2030, backed by our £50 million Tackling Child Poverty Fund and a wide range of investments.
“Our £1,041 million deal with councils will almost double early learning and childcare hours from 2020, to a total of 1,140 per year.
“We passed the Domestic Abuse Bill to tackle harmful, coercive and controlling behaviour in relationships in Scotland.
“We introduced a new income tax system that makes tax more progressive.
“More than 900,000 homes have been connected to fibre broadband and we will now take the next steps on the way to delivering 100%superfast broadband.
“This week, we will set out the next steps toward establishing a publicly owned Scottish National Investment Bank which will invest in projects that will align with our economic mission, including projects that support our transition to a low carbon society.
“In its 70th year, we will set out plans to build on the success of, and address the challenges facing our National Health Service. Our aim is to build an NHS that is fit for the changing demands of our aging population; one that supports good mental as well as physical health.
“We doubled funding for new cycling and walking routes as part of our commitment to lower carbon emissions and we are determined to adopt electric vehicles early, reflecting our commitment to making the transition to a low carbon economy.
“Our plans are ambitious and far reaching, and will create employment across the country. Scotland is a country which in many ways led the world into the industrial revolution. Now, we have a real chance to lead the world into the low carbon age.
“The Programme for Government will unveil raft of new announcements, and 12 new Bills, which we will progress over the coming months.”
ENDS
