Stronger, Fairer and Wealthier Scotland

Stronger,Fairer andWealthier Scotland

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Publishedby TheScottishGovernment, January2025

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FirstMinister’sForeword

KateForbes

ThisProgrammeforGovernmentthatIproudlyset outbeforeourParliamenttodayfocusesonthe prioritiesoftheScottishpeople.

WeintendtoensurethatScottishDemocracyis protectedandenhanced,andweaimtoworkwiththe UKGovernmenttodelivermorepowersforthe ScottishParliament.

WewillchallengethedecisionstouseaSection35 orderontheGenderRecognitionReformBill,which waspassedwithsupportofeverypartywithinthe ScottishParliament.

Additionally,wewillchallengethedecisionnotto grantafullInternalMarketExemptionfortheScottish DepositReturnScheme,whichresultedinwasted publicfundsandjoblosses.

ItisattacksliketheseonourParliament,Governance andDemocracyfromtheParliamentinWestminster whytheScottishGovernmentwillformallytakethe positionthatScotlandshouldbeanindependent country.

Wewillinvestinourinfrastructurelikeneverbefore, backedbyhundredsofmillionsofpoundsof investmentfromtheScottishGovernment.

Wewillpublishasupportingdocumenttothis ProgrammeforGovernmentthatoutlineshowthe ScottishGovernmentaimstodefendtherightsof someofScotland’smostmarginalisedcommunities.

“ThisProgrammeforGovernmentthatIproudlysetout beforeourParliamenttodayfocusesontheprioritiesof theScottishpeople”

RtHonKateForbesMSP FirstMinisterofScotland

Additionally,thisyearweaimtoopenapublic consultationontheproposalsfromScottishMinisters foraMinimumIncomeGuarantee.

WeaimtobuildamoreequalScotlandbyurgingthe UKGovernmenttomakeprovisionforScottishMinisters tolegislateonHumanandEmploymentRights.

Wewillusepublicinvestmenttobuildevenstronger publicservices.TheScottishGovernmenthas previouslyre-nationalisedScotRailandCaledonian Sleeperrail-services,andwewillgofurtherwiththe establishmentofapubliclyownedbusoperator.

WewillcontinuetomeetourfundingtargetsforNHS Investment,withpayrisesforDoctorsandNurses.

AttheSpringBudget,wewillintendtomakelittle changestothecurrenttaxationbands,asidefrom adjustmenttoinflation.

WewillintroduceapackageofEconomicReform, includinginvestingheavilyinourruralcommunitiesand improvinginfrastructureinoururbanenvironments.

WewillcontinuetodeliverforScotland’syoungpeople, byintroducinganexpandeddiscountschemeforRail travelwithaYoungPerson’sNEC.

Wewillworktomakeurgentreformstolegislation relatingtotheemploymentofchildren,andsatisfactory workingconditions.

Wewillworktoimproveourenvironment,includingreestablishingtheWestminstersabotaged,Deposit ReturnScheme.

Wewillimproveourairqualitywiththeexpansionof LowEmissionsZonestoDundee,Stirlingand Aberdeen.

Wewillprotectourbiodiversitywithnewmeasuresto protectourmostendangeredareasandwewillseekto establishanewnationalparkintheHighlands.

WewillsupportcommunitiesrightacrossScotlandwith betterpublicservices,strongerdemocracyandan economythatworksforeveryone.

Wewillworkalongsidepartneragenciesandother Government’stobuildthecampaignthatScotlandis open,andwearereadytoplayourpart.

ThisProgrammeforGovernmentsetsoutwhyI,andmy Ministers,willdooverthenextyear.Thisisclear evidencethattheScottishGovernmentisdeliveringfor theScottishpeople.

Introduction

FollowingtheresignationofHumzaYousafMSPas FirstMinister,andtheelectionofKateForbesMSP toreplacehim,theScottishGovernmenthas chosentopublishanemergencyProgrammefor Governmentthatsetsoutourkeyprioritiesforthe comingyear.

ThisProgrammeforGovernmentisnotan exhaustivelistoftheactionstheScottish Governmentwilltakethisyear;itfocuseson thoseimmediateprioritieswhichwebelieve shouldbedrivenforwardwithurgencyinthe faceofcurrentchallenges.

ThisProgrammeforGovernmentsetsouttheScottish Government’scommitmentsonarangeofissuesfrom theeconomytotheenvironment.

AlongsidethisProgrammeforGovernment,wehave publishedsomekeysupportingdocumentssuchas theEqualRightsCommitment,Infrastructure InvestmentProgrammeandourproposalsfor Scotland’snextNationalPark.

TheProgrammeforGovernment2022-23

StrongerDemocracyforScotland

TheScottishGovernmentbelievethatthecurrent devolutionsettlementisunequal,andallowstheUK Governmenttostoplegislationtakingaffectthatwas passedbytheScottishParliamentforunjustifiedor evenpartypoliticalreasons.

WefirmlybelievethatbyworkingwiththeUK Government,wecanenhanceScottishDemocracyfor thebenefitofeveryone.

WewillcallforSection35oftheScotlandAct1998to berepealed.

ItissimplyundemocraticthattheUKGovernmentcan vetoScottishGovernmentdecisionsatanytimethey choose,andthismustcometoanend.

Thisyearwewill:

■ RequestthattheSecretaryofStatereviewthe decisiontouseaSection35orderinrelationtothe GenderRecognitionReformBill

■ SeekanInternalMarketExemptionfortheScottish DepositReturnScheme,whichwasnotgrantedeven afterUKGovernmentcommitmentstointroducea schemeoftheexactsamenature.

■ Continuetobuilduponthecasethatmore,ifnotall, powershouldresidewiththeScottishParliamentand thatScotlandwouldgreatlybenefitasan independentcountry.

■ ContinueoureffortstodefendScottishDemocracy andtherightofthepeopleofScotlandtodecidetheir ownfuture.

WealthierScotland

TheScottishGovernmentunderstandsthevalueofa successfulScotlandtoitscitizens.TheScottish GovernmentwantstomakeScotlandwealthier,more competitive,andmoreresilientintheglobaleconomy byputtingforwardcutting-edgeideasandplacinga priorityonsustainabledevelopment.

TolessenScotland'sdependenceoncertain industries,theScottishGovernmentwillactively encourageeconomicdiversification.

We'llencouragethedevelopmentofdeveloping sectorsincludingthecreative,lifesciences, technology,andrenewableenergyindustries.Wewill buildanatmospherethatencouragesentrepreneurial activityanddrawshigh-qualityjobsbysupporting innovation,investinginresearchanddevelopment, andfosteringcollaborationbetweenacademia, companies,andgovernment.

Furthermore,wewillcontinuetoinvestinour initiativessuchasthesmallbusinessbonus,which hassignificantlyimprovedSMEsrightacrossScotland.

Fairer&MoreEqualScotland

TheScottishGovernmentisdevotedtocreatinga moreequitableScotlandwhereeachresidenthasthe chancetoprosperandreachtheirfullpotential.Inthis chapter,welayoutourgoalsforbuildingasociety thatupholdssocialjustice,combatsinequality,and leavesnoonebehind.Weseektosolvesystemic inequitiesandbuildajust,inclusive,and compassionatesocietybyenactingavarietyof progressivepolicies.

TacklingPoverty:

■ IntroductionofaFairWorkChartertoensuredecent wages,fairworkingconditions,andworkers'rights.

■ Initiativestoeradicatechildpoverty,including increasedaccesstoaffordablechildcareand expandededucationalopportunities.

■ Implementationofprogressivetaxreformsto protectlow-incomeearners.

ClosingthePovertyRelatedAttainmentGap:

■ Investmentinearlyyearseducationandadditional supportfordisadvantagedchildrenandfamilies.

■ Puttinganemphasisonaccessibleeducational resources,classsizereduction,andteacher development.

AdvancingGenderEquality:

■ Promotionofwomen'sleadershipand representationindecision-makingroles.

■ Combattingviolenceagainstwomenandgirls throughlegislationandsupportservicesforsurvivors.

■ Improvingaccesstoaffordablechildcareand supportingwork-lifebalance.

SupportingMinorities:

■ Implementationofanti-racistpoliciestoaddress racialinequality.

■ Promotionofculturaldiversityandequal opportunitiesforall.

■ Tacklinghatecrimeanddiscrimination,enhancing communitycohesion,andstrengtheningsupport servicesforminoritycommunities.

■ Engagementwithstakeholderstodeveloppolicies thataddressthespecificneedsandaspirationsof Scotland'sdiversepopulation.

Welfare&Health:

■ Advocacyforfairandhumanesocialsecurity policiestocombatpovertyandensurebasicneeds aremet.

■ Investmentinhealthcaretoreducehealth inequalitiesandpromotementalhealthandwellbeingforall.

■ Prioritisingaffordablehousing,accessible healthcare,andassistancefordisadvantagedpeople andfamilies.

TheScottishGovernment'scommitmenttobuildinga fairerandmoreequalScotlandisunwavering.By implementingprogressivepoliciesthataddress poverty,inequality,andsocialinjustices,weaimto createasocietythatoffersequalopportunitiesand upholdstheprinciplesofsocialjusticeand compassion.

StrongPublicServices

TheScottishGovernmentisstilldedicatedto improvingpublicservices.Toguaranteetheprovision ofhigh-qualityservicesacrossourcountry,we acknowledgethesignificanceofsubstantial investmentsandstrategicinitiatives.

Wewillfocusonthefollowingoverthecomingyear:

TransportandInfrastructure:

■ EstablishapubliclyownedBusoperator.

■ Collaboratewithlocalauthorities,transportunions, andstakeholderstodevelopanintegratedtransport system.

■ Ensurereliable,affordable,andenvironmentally sustainablebusservicesacrossthecountry.

Healthcare:

■ Allocateappropriatefundingtosupportthe recruitment,training,andretentionofhealthcarestaff.

■ Implementwork-lifebalanceinitiativesfor healthcareprofessionals.

■ Developandmaintainstate-of-the-arthealthcare facilities.

EducationandSkillsDevelopment:

■ Investinearlyyearseducationandreducethe poverty-relatedattainmentgap.

■ Supportlifelonglearningandskillsdevelopment opportunities.

■ Fosteraninclusiveeducationsystemthatmeetsthe needsofeverylearner.

HousingandSocialServices:

■ Prioritisetheconstructionofaffordable,sustainable, andenergy-efficienthousing.

■ Strengthensocialservicesthroughcommunitybasedsupportprograms.

■ Investinmentalhealthservicesandinitiativesto tacklepovertyandinequality.

TransformingOurEconomy

TheScottishGovernmentisdevotedtopromotinga thrivinganddurableeconomythatbenefitsall residents,inbothurbanandruralareas.In accordancewiththisobjective,weofferathorough setofEconomicReformpoliciesdesignedtoboost infrastructure,fostergrowth,andopendoors throughoutScotland.Wewanttobuildastrong economythatbenefitseveryonebysupportingcities andinvestinginruralareas.

TheScottishGovernmentwillimprovetheScottish economyusingthestrategies,measures,andplans outlinedinthischapteraspartoftheProgrammefor Government2025.

InvestinginRuralCommunities:

■ EstablishadedicatedRuralInfrastructureFundto improvetransportation,digitalconnectivity,and utilities.

■ Supportsustainableagricultureandfisheries throughfundingforresearch,promotionof sustainablepractices,andlong-termfisheries management.

■ Promoteruralentrepreneurshipbyproviding financialassistance,training,andfostering collaborationbetweenbusinessesandlocal communities.

EnhancingUrbanEnvironments:

■ LaunchanUrbanInfrastructureInvestmentPlan targetingtransportation,affordablehousing,and digitalconnectivity.

■ Promotegreenurbanisationthroughinvestmentsin greeninfrastructure,expansionofgreenspaces,and encouragementofrenewableenergysolutions.

■ Establishinnovationhubsinurbancentrestodrive economicdiversificationandinnovation,fostering collaborationbetweenacademia,industry,and governmentagencies.

AnEducatedEconomy

■ Enhanceskillsdevelopmentandeducationthrough expandingapprenticeshipprograms,strengthening vocationaltraining,andpromotinglifelonglearning.

AnEconomyreadytowelcometheworld:

■ Implementacomprehensiveinternationaltradeand investmentstrategytoexpandScotland'sglobal presenceandattractforeigninvestment.

■ Streamlineregulationstofacilitateinternational tradeandsupportexport-focusedbusinesses.

DeliveringforScotland’s YoungPeople

TheScottishGovernmentiscommittedtoensuring thatScotland’schildrenhavethebestpossiblestartto life,andthegreatestnumberofopportunities availabletothem.

Wewillfocusonthefollowingoverthecomingyear: FreeandFairEducation:

■ Wewillseektoenshrinetherighttoafreeandfair educationintolaw.

■ WewillmakereformstotheNationalQualifications FrameworkforS4pupils,andplaceagreaterfocuson coursework.

■ EnsurethatSchoolsandUniversitiesarekepttoa highstandard,andcontinuetorefurbishorrebuild oldercentres.

YoungPerson’sNEC:

■ TheYoungPerson’sNECwillensurefora25% discountonallrailtravelwithinScotland.

■ Workwithpartneragenciestodevelopadigital versionoftheYoungPerson’sNEC.

■ ContinuetheFreeBusTravelwithaYoungPerson’s NECScheme,thatwaslaunchedin2021.

Four-day workingweek

Wewillestablisha £10mfund

– startingwith£2millionthis year –tosupportpilotsofa four-dayworkingweek.

FromBabySteps,toGiantLeaps:

■ UpgradetheBabyBoxScheme,backedby £2millionextrafundingfromtheScottishGovernment.

■ ContinuetheprovisionofFreeHigherEducation, whichwasintroducedin2008.

■ Fosteraninclusiveeducationsystemthatmeetsthe needsofeverylearner.

HousingandSocialServices:

■ Prioritisetheconstructionofaffordable,sustainable, andenergy-efficienthousing.

■ Strengthensocialservicesthroughcommunitybasedsupportprograms.

■ Investinmentalhealthservicesandinitiativesto tacklepovertyandinequality.

TheLegislativeProgramme2025

TheScottishGovernment’snewlegislative programmewillsupportdeliveryofourcore strategicpriorities.

Wehavemadegoodprogressdeliveringlegislative commitmentsannouncedinthe2024Programmefor Government,andweaimtogoevenfurtherthisyear.

WewillintroduceourAnnualBudgetBill,forApril, alongsidelegislationtoapprovethesaleoftheBank ofScotlandtoScottishMinisters,providedthattheUK Parliamentvoteinfavourofthecurrentproposed legislation.

WewillintroducetheEducationEnhancementBill, whichwillseektointroducegreaterrightsforlearners andestablishadigitallearningspaceforScotland’s people.

Wewilladditionallyintroducelegislationtoestablisha nationallyownedbusoperator,thatwilloffer competitivefaresandrelaxingtravel.

WewillmakegreaterreformstotheEducationSystem, includingreformstotheNationalQualifications Framework.

WewillrequesttotheSecretaryofStatethattheUK GovernmentrepealstheVoterIDlawsintroducedprior tothe2022EnglishLocalElections.

WewillmarkthebeginningoftheNationalCare Service,withthefinalbillbeingintroducedto Parliamentthisyear.

Billsforintroduction2022-23

■ AnnualBudget(No.2)

■ BankofScotland(SaletoScottishMinisters)

■ Education(Enhancement)

■ Transport(Scotland)

■ NationalParks(LochaberGeopark)

■ Education(NationalQualificationsReform)

■ Education(ScottishDigitalEducation)

■ HousingSupportSevice

■ FormalRequesttoSecretaryofState: RepealVoterIDLaws

■ ScottishTourismLevy

■ DisposableVapes(RestrictionofSale)

■ PublicHealth(RestrictionofPromotions)

■ ScottishAggregatesLevy

■ NationalCareService(Commencement)

■ ClimateCommitments(2025)

ScottishGovernment EqualRightsCommitment2025

TheScottishMinistersmakeacommitmenttouphold thewilloftheScottishpeople,andtoleadonbehalf ofallofScotlandforaslongasweremaininoffice.

TheScottishGovernmentwillcontinuetoputScottish Interestsattheheartofwhatwedo,andourprimary focuswillbedeliveringforthepeopleofScotland.

Wewillworkhardertorootourallformsof discriminationamongScots,andwewillseektobuild atolerantandfairerScotland.