First Minister promises 'significant reform' of public services to fight child poverty

John Swinney says his plans for Scotland will be "impactful" despite the incredible pressures on finances.

The First Minister has set out his first Programme for Government which includes rent controls, a U-turn on arts funding and a revamp of how poverty is tackled.

The announcement comes just 24 hours after Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced around £500 million of cuts.

As a result the Programme for Government included little in terms of concrete new action.

But the First Minister did pledge to take steps towards eradicating child poverty in Scotland.

Eradicating child poverty is "first and foremost"

The SNP leader has already made clear that tackling child poverty is "first and foremost" in his priorities.

"Our goal is to lift every child in Scotland who is in poverty out of it, so, we must do more," he said.

Here, the First Minister stressed the need to ensure a "system of whole-family support" is available - adding this must be "easy to access, well-connected and responsive to families' needs".

He added: "Over the coming year, we will work with partners to enable greater local flexibility, so that services can be more easily tailored to the needs of the families they support."

He said the Scottish Government would "consider where greater investment is needed".

But he stated: "The key objective of the approach we will take forward will be to deliver significant reform of the work of public services to deliver whole-family support extensively across the country."

Rent controls introduced, and Creative Scotland cuts reversed

Along with changes to public services, the First Minister also pledged to introduce rent controls in new legislation, invest £1 billion in "affordable, high-quality and funded early learning and childcare".

Mr Swinney also pledged provide funding for Creative Scotland to restart its open fund.

This comes after dozens of artists, musicians and writers sent an open letter to the First Minister urging him to reconsider plans to cut £6.6 million of funding for the industry body.

Writer and broadcaster Damian Barr is welcoming the U-turn, but says the issue needs to be looked at in more detail: “The decision should never have been made in the first place, and the fact that the situation remains so precarious points to a deeper problem that needs to be addressed across all parties so that an industrial strategy is created.”

Code of conduct for ministers to be introduced

Mr Swinney also pledged to overhaul the rules which govern the conduct of ministers.

The ministerial code, which will be published by the end of the year Mr Swinney said, will allow independent advisers to initiate investigations into the conduct of ministers, as opposed to requiring the First Minister to call for a probe.

"I want my Government to set the highest standard of propriety and integrity," he said.

"I want trust to be at the heart of our relationship with the people of Scotland."

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