Jobs and growth central to Scottish Government agenda
Nicola Sturgeon says boosting growth and protecting jobs will be central to her Government's plans for the next five years, as the Scottish Parliament returns from its summer break this week.
Nicola Sturgeon says boosting growth and protecting jobs will be central to her Government's plans for the next five years, as the Scottish Parliament returns from its summer break this week.
The First Minister will deliver her programme for government at Holyrood on Tuesday, the opening day of the new parliamentary session.
The Scottish Government said greater equality of opportunity, increased economic growth and improved public services will be central to the proposals unveiled.
Ms Sturgeon said: It will be a plan based on success and inclusion that will be delivered by a Government acting in the best interests of all of Scotland - a Government for everyone who lives here.
The backdrop to our programme for government has clearly changed significantly since the referendum on EU membership.
But what hasn't changed, and never will change, is our determination to deliver on our promises and our desire to make improvements that benefit everyone in Scotland.''
She added: We have started work to reform education and give our children the best opportunities in life, our A&E departments are the best performing in the UK, and we're taking forward plans for legislation on child poverty and social security.
The fundamentals of our economy are strong, but our Government is constantly looking to boost growth and protect and create jobs. That will be absolutely central to our programme for the next five years.''
But Scottish Labour said the SNP administration has failed to deliver during its time in power.
James Kelly MSP said: The SNP Government make lots of big promises but have failed to deliver - services in our NHS are under threat, our police force are facing huge cuts and the gap between the richest and the rest in our schools remains as stubborn as ever.
Labour this week outlined an alternative programme for government with an education bill as a priority, and using the tax powers of the Scottish Parliament to invest in our economy and stop the cuts to public services.
Labour are talking about Scotland's future, whilst the SNP want to drag us back to the arguments of the past.''
The party has also urged ministers to address what it called the housing crisis'', saying official figures show the budget for housing and community amenities has been cut by £338 million since Ms Sturgeon became First Minister.
Labour called on ministers to match their policy of building 60,000 affordable homes over the next five years.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said he intends to use the next parliamentary year to provide a clear, hopeful, optimistic, moderate and progressive voice''.
He told party members: In a No Borders approach we will oppose independence, we will support strong relationships with Europe and we will work for public services that can liberate people to achieve more in their lives.
We will work for better mental health and GP services, a penny on income tax for education, and action to exceed our climate change targets and to guarantee our civil liberties.''