Programme for Government 2024-25: Serving Scotland

First Minister’s foreword

This Programme for Government sets out my Government’s commitments to deliver for the people of Scotland. Those commitments reflect my optimism that, even in times of unprecedented budgetary constraint, we can still greatly improve people’s lives by focusing on clear priorities and working with partners to make the biggest difference possible.

This Government will focus our efforts and resources on our four key priorities: eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate emergency, and ensuring high quality and sustainable public services. While those are set within the current powers of the Scottish Parliament, the people of Scotland will know that I believe we could make a greater impact with the powers of an independent nation.

These are ambitious priorities, but they reflect not only the biggest challenges we face today, but also the greatest opportunities we have for investment in the future of Scotland as a diverse and prosperous nation.

My Cabinet and I have been clear about the financial limitations surrounding this Programme for Government. We have just announced several emergency spending controls and savings measures for 2024‑25. This Government has a record of strong financial management, having lived within the resources available to us for 17 years. These emergency measures are a product of continued austerity and due to no provision being made by the UK Government for the effect of sky‑high inflation – serving only to undermine our budget. The measures we have had to take have been deeply frustrating decisions, but they have also brought even greater focus to our four priorities – priorities I believe will have the most tangible impact for people living in Scotland.

That is the focus of this programme and is essential as we address several economic shocks: the aftermath of the Covid‑19 pandemic, the cost‑of‑living crisis, war in Europe, and decisions by the UK Government to address its own £22 billion funding shortfall.

Scotland is not alone in our desire to grow a sustainable, wellbeing economy after so many shocks, and as we increasingly feel the consequences and costs of climate change. All devolved governments are facing hard decisions, but experience has taught me that governments work best by inviting many voices around the table – working in partnership with stakeholders towards a common vision and set of ambitions for Scotland as a nation.

Local government will be essential in these efforts. They are on the frontline of realising many of the actions that will contribute to the successful achievement of our priorities.

My government remains fully committed to the Verity House Agreement – an agreement which demonstrates the desire of both local government and the Scottish Government to seek new ways of working more closely together to deliver on our shared priorities for communities across Scotland.

Where it is possible to do so, we will also work collaboratively with the United Kingdom Government. I have already had welcome discussions with Sir Keir Starmer, to discuss how our two governments can work constructively together to make a difference to people’s lives, both on areas of importance for the people of Scotland and as a nation that values its role as a good global citizen.

Since this Government came to power in 2007, we have improved the lives of people in Scotland. It is my focus and my determination that we build on those successful policies to further enhance the lives of the people of Scotland.

The changes we have already implemented – like expanding funded childcare to 1140 hours, increasing NHS investment to record levels, setting a clear focus on developing renewable energy, and introducing the widely praised Scottish Child Payment – continue to have positive impacts on people, jobs, and the economy of Scotland.

These policies, and the wide‑ranging benefits they have delivered, lay the foundations for the next steps detailed in this Programme for Government. They serve to remind us that achieving each of the four priorities of the Scottish Government relies on the success of the others. It is essential that we advance each of the priorities to ensure we create a wealthier, fairer, and greener country.

The impacts of poverty or climate change can be felt more acutely across different groups and communities in our urban, rural and island areas. Our actions must therefore be tailored to meet the needs of all people in all regions across Scotland, because therein lies our strength. Each community, each region, each sector will help us to achieve the goals of this Government through their unique resources, ideas, and talents.

To succeed we must take action to tackle persistent inequality and to advance equality of opportunity for everyone in Scotland, supporting those who are most disadvantaged and who face the greatest barriers to realising their rights.

At the heart of our agenda is ensuring cohesive, successful communities. We have been fortunate over the summer not to have experienced the widespread public disorder that has been experienced in other parts of the United Kingdom. As First Minister, I want everyone who lives in Scotland to feel safe. I will work with partners and faith leaders to safeguard Scotland against those who spread hatred, including Anti‑Semitism and Islamophobia. As a government, we will do everything in our power to ensure Scotland remains a place where everyone can live in safety and security, including refugees and those fleeing conflict.

As First Minister, I will ensure my Government spends every day working to support the people of Scotland to live well and fulfil their potential.

In my time in Government, I have seen that we deliver the best outcomes when we look beyond our own party, and work with those partners who share our goals. In this Programme for Government, I reiterate my commitment that I will work with those who come forward with constructive proposals about how we can make our country a better place to live in. As First Minister, I will ensure my Government spends every day working to support the people of Scotland to live well and fulfil their potential.

This Programme for Government sets out the most impactful measures we will be taking forward in the year ahead to deliver on our priorities. I look forward to working with everyone who wants to help deliver our vision for a modern, prosperous, greener Scotland.

John Swinney MSP

First Minister