John Swinney
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Since the report from several years ago was published, the Government has presided over the passage of legislation to rationalise that area of activity. Work is under way to transfer the responsibility for the funding of further education student support from the Scottish Funding Council to the Student Awards Agency Scotland.”
“I appreciate the urgency of the general policy elements of the question, because a number of applications are now being considered by planning authorities. My view is that, given the concerns that have been expressed by planning authorities, the Government has to be responsive to the issue.”
“For as long as we do not have a proper strategy on prison capacity, rehabilitation and clearing the court backlog, early release will be a revolving door, with people going in, coming out and going back into our prisons. Our justice system is in crisis, so we need a strategy.”
“I associate myself unreservedly Mr Cole-Hamilton’s comments about the feelings in the Muslim community. On Monday, I visited the Broomhouse mosque along with Simita Kumar and the Annandale Street mosque in Edinburgh with Ben Macpherson.”
“The development of further guidance will be undertaken in a manner consistent with the ruling by Lady Ross. Malcolm Offord: I thank the First Minister for his answer, which was more comprehensive than I expected.”
“I am a huge supporter of apprenticeship programmes. With foundation apprenticeships and graduate apprenticeships, the Government has brought forward important reforms that create new and successful pathways for young people. I am determined to make sure that every young person has that desirable pathway for their future.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,608 lines we hold for John Swinney, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 7 of 53.
“The news about the energy price cap is a serious blow to families around the country, because, as we all heard during the election campaign, people are already wrestling with cost of living challenges. The 13 per cent increase in the energy price cap makes that situation ever more challenging for individuals and families. The Scottish Government will take all the action that we can take, through measures that I set out during the election, relating to, for example, the affordability of travel and the food shop. However, what we need is action from the United Kingdom Government. It promised to reduce energy bills by £300, but energy bills are going to be higher than when Labour came to office. That is just another example of the failure of the Labour Government at Westminster.”
“However, after 75 years of Liberal representation, the people of Shetland did an absolutely wonderful thing. They sent Hannah Mary Goodlad here for the SNP, and we are delighted to welcome her to the Scottish Parliament. The Presiding Officer: We now move to questions from back benchers. The leaders’ questions have taken some 30 minutes, so I think that folk will now appreciate why I have introduced a back benchers’ questions session on a Tuesday. I ask members to ensure, please, that they have pressed their request-to-speak buttons, because a host of members are already keen to speak. Members have lodged very interesting questions that I am quite keen to take, but some of you have not pressed your buttons. Without further ado, I call Jackie Dunbar. Energy”
“There is an important message that our islands are open for business. When I was in the Western Isles during the election campaign, I heard frustration from local businesses about the ferry network, but also about some of the amplification of these issues that indicated that it was ever more difficult for people to get to the islands, which is damaging to island communities. Mr Cole-Hamilton said that island communities were turning their backs on the SNP. While I am on my feet, I cannot resist the temptation to respond. I grieve the loss of my dear friend Dr Alasdair Allan in the Western Isles. He was an absolutely outstanding parliamentarian, and I very much regret the fact that we were unable to hold on to Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, and Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.”
“We have been using the MV Alfred on the Troon to Brodick route, with which the Presiding Officer may well be familiar. We have also purchased the Loch Frisa, which services the route from Oban to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. The MV Isle of Islay is also now in service, and it services the route to Islay. The Glen Sannox is servicing the Castlebay route presently, and we have another vessel coming from the Cemre yard in the summer, another one in the autumn and another in the spring. The Glen Rosa is also to join service. Therefore, there are more vessels coming into the fleet. The SNP Government has already put nine new vessels into the fleet and we have 11 more coming into the fleet. I assure Mr Cole-Hamilton that CalMac and Northlink Ferries are always working to ensure that we have connections in place.”
“Lots of coastal and island communities are turning away from the SNP because of this issue. Remember that The New York Times told its readers that, while our Scottish islands are beautiful, “Good luck getting on or off.” Scotland’s islands are a great option for a summer getaway—they are beautiful—but only if we can get holidaymakers over to their hotels and to cafes and distilleries. The ferry fleet is more prone than ever before to breakdown and disruption. It is not resilient. Everyone who lives in those communities knows that all too well. Has the First Minister picked up the phone to ferry operators and Governments elsewhere in the United Kingdom and Europe to find extra vessels to keep those routes operational and our island communities profitable? The First Minister: Of course we have done that.”
“As to whether the ferry network is equipped for the summer, when I looked at service strength this morning, before I came down to the chamber, I saw that ferry services on most routes are operating appropriately. That has been the case for a number of days. I look at that regularly, because I am keen to ensure that island communities are well served by the ferry network, and I will continue to do that, as will the transport secretary, who is also engaging on all of those questions. I do think that the ferry network is going to be ready for the summer. It will have to be, because the First Minister is going to be using it to go on his summer holidays. Alex Cole-Hamilton: I am grateful for that reply, but it is no wonder that the people of the Western Isles sent the First Minister and his party packing.”
“I acknowledge that there have been acute challenges in the ferry network over the past few weeks and months. When I went to the Western Isles during the election campaign—and, by the way, I went there by ferry and came back by ferry; I did not just fly in for a day trip—I listened to people about the issues with ferries. I also confirmed that, if the Scottish National Party Government was re-elected, we would put in place financial assistance to deal with the damage that I acknowledge was undertaken to many communities as a consequence of the disruption during the Easter holidays. I am happy to confirm to Parliament that the Scottish Government will make such a fund available and we are now considering the terms and basis of that. I will reflect on Mr Cole-Hamilton’s point about coastal communities.”
“The last thing that I will say to Russell Findlay is this: the Scottish National Party has been affected by the loss of the resources as a result of this case, but what the Scottish National Party can rely on now is the most effective arrangements being in place to guarantee that the resources that we use are used to maximum effect. We used them to maximum effect on 7 May, when the SNP won 58 seats in the Parliament and the Conservatives were reduced to a hopeless rump of 12, sitting over there. They may grin all they like, but, for the seventh time in a row in this Parliament, we successfully got rid of the Conservatives, and the people of Scotland can breathe a sigh of relief that the Conservatives are over there redundant as a consequence of the election. Ferry Services 5.”
“I want to reassure Parliament that, in order to receive funding, a party needs to apply to the Electoral Commission outlining the work that will be done in the forthcoming year, and to submit an audited report to the Electoral Commission outlining what grant funding has been spent on. It is only on receipt of the audited report that the final payment of the grant is made by the Electoral Commission. That confirms the point that I made to Parliament on Tuesday that it is SNP supporters’ money that has been embezzled, and not public money.”
“The First Minister: As a matter of fact, in court on Monday, the advocate depute made a verbal motion for confiscation in relation to section 92 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and the decision on the matter will ultimately be for the court to make. Given that, as the Presiding Officer told us on Tuesday, the proceedings remain live until sentencing, I am unable to say any more beyond that. The second point that I will make is in relation to the suggestion that there was public money involved in all of this. The only issue that could apply there is in relation to a policy development grant from the Electoral Commission.”
“If the SNP is the victim, did it exercise its right in law to seek a review of the Crown Office’s prosecution decision? Will John Swinney now follow the money, which bought a camper van, Montblanc pens and a home library? Is he taking legal action to force Peter Murrell to pay compensation or has John Swinney asked the Crown Office to use the proceeds of crime laws to recover luxury stolen goods from Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon? The First Minister: If there is anything desperate about all of this, it is the desperation of a man who has led the Conservative Party into oblivion asking me questions about this issue today. That is what Russell Findlay is doing. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let the First Minister answer, please.”
“That assurance, which was given by the Crown to Mr Findlay yesterday, is designed to explain that the highest standards have been applied to a deep and forensic criminal investigation, which resulted in the prosecution of one person and one person alone. If Mr Findlay had a shred of decency about him he would express his respect for the judicial system in Scotland and for the justice system in Scotland and leave the professional officers of our police service and our professional prosecutors to do their jobs, which is exactly what they have done. Russell Findlay: That was the usual desperate deflection from John Swinney. He is trying to shut down scrutiny, and we will not stand for it. John Swinney says that the SNP is the victim, although there are new reports that taxpayers’ money was also stolen.”
“Mr Findlay is an experienced parliamentarian and also an experienced journalist who has looked at many issues of criminality over his career. As the Crown Office pointed out to Mr Findlay yesterday, the Crown does not disclose the rationale for its taking decisions, other than where it pursues prosecutions against individuals. The Crown has undertaken a successful prosecution here, and I pay tribute to the Crown Office and to Police Scotland. The Crown also made it clear to Mr Findlay yesterday that the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General—the law officers—had no involvement in this case. They never have an involvement in cases involving political figures, which are all undertaken by independent counsel and experienced Crown counsel within the Crown Office.”
“The Government will be willing to engage with the Scottish Green Party on all issues, including on reform and potential abolition of the council tax. However, we need to have in place reliable means that will support public finances and the delivery of public services. That is the key consideration that will be brought to those discussions by the Scottish Government. Publication of Information (Lord Advocate) 4.”
“For too long, the claim that we need a consensus to replace the council tax has been used as an excuse not to take action. If the First Minister wants to scrap the council tax to fund public services, the Scottish Greens will work with him—that would be a parliamentary majority for change. Will the First Minister work with us to scrap the council tax in this parliamentary session? The First Minister: As I told the Parliament on Tuesday, I want this to be a bold Parliament. Therefore, there must be reform in this parliamentary session—we simply cannot go on as we are just now. There are legitimate issues regarding the council tax and its fairness, on which I have a great deal of sympathy. Later today, the Deputy First Minister is meeting local authority leaders to start the constructive dialogue that I want to see in place.”
“Those considerations are at the heart of what Ivan McKee is looking to do, which is to ensure that we utilise the effectiveness of public expenditure to the maximum extent so that public servants are able to fulfil their roles and we can deliver better outcomes for members of the public in Scotland. Gillian Mackay: If it is a wee bit early for cast- iron commitments, the First Minister might not enjoy my next question. The Scottish Greens have already shown that we can work constructively and creatively to raise more money for public services. Income tax changes that have been driven by Green MSPs over the past decade mean that our public services are now better off to the tune of £1.8 billion each year. However, we cannot fix Scotland’s public finances without fixing how we fund our local councils.”
“The First Minister: I am very happy to consider those issues. It is obviously a bit too early in the parliamentary session for me to give a commitment that is quite as firm as the one that Gillian Mackay has invited me to make today. However, there is a deadly serious point at the heart of her question, which is that the environment in which public servants work really matters. If that environment is burdened by excessive bureaucracy or by slowness in decision making, that can have a negative effect on individuals in carrying out their responsibilities.”
“However, as the First Minister reflected, it is crucial that those decisions are not just about looking for cuts that can be dressed up as efficiencies but are about how we continue to build on the work that the public sector is doing to drive up productivity and wellbeing so that workers feel valued and are able to do their jobs well. In the previous session, the Scottish Greens secured a pioneering trial of a four-day working week in the public sector, which resulted in a 25 per cent drop in mental health sick days and no loss of service delivery or productivity. Although our finances remain stretched, rolling out a four- day week would help to transform public sector work at no extra cost to the public purse. Will the First Minister commit to expanding the four-day week in the public sector?”
“I have seen some fantastic work being delivered that has cost less but has delivered better outcomes for individuals. At the heart of the work that Ivan McKee is bringing forward is making sure that we improve public services while delivering financial sustainability for the public purse. Of course, without a majority in the Parliament, the Government will need to work with others to come to common positions. I look forward to taking those discussions forward with many colleagues from across the political spectrum. Gillian Mackay: I appreciate that response from the First Minister and, in a second, I will come on to an idea about how we can deliver more from the public sector. I am sure that the new Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform will have plenty of difficult decisions to make.”
“As Gillian Mackay will know from her experience in the previous parliamentary session, any budget proposition involves a combination of tax and spending decisions. In meeting those requirements, the Government considers the opportunities to raise tax and the consequences of raising tax, and the opportunities to undertake public expenditure and the impact that that public expenditure could have. We will obviously need to have very open discussions. The Deputy First Minister will lead those discussions on behalf of the Government, and Ivan McKee will also be engaged in discussions on how we can secure greater impact from the way in which we undertake public expenditure. Although I totally respect and understand the concerns of trade unions, we also need to be open to new ways of delivering public services.”
“The people of Scotland have decided, this Parliament has an independence majority, and I will use that independence majority to deliver independence for our country. Taxation Powers 3.”
“During the election, the Labour Government promised that it would reject any application for such a section 30 notice, and it has done that. During the election, the First Minister promised that, if his section 30 notice application was rejected, he had a cunning plan to get a referendum. The debate on the constitution was on Tuesday, and the First Minister’s request was rejected on Wednesday. It is now Thursday. Is it time for the First Minister to reveal his cunning plan, or has Peter Murrell stolen that as well? The First Minister: The point of substance that Malcolm Offord puts to me is an important one, because it gets to the heart of our democratic politics. I am not going to just kowtow to 10 Downing Street.”
“Of course, jet fuel was manufactured at Grangemouth, which was closed by the Labour Government, despite Anas Sarwar telling me in an election debate in 2024 that it would be saved by a Labour Government. We have careful judgments to make on the issue, but the assurance that I give to Parliament today—and, crucially, to oil and gas workers in the north-east of Scotland—is that the Scottish Government will make all the interventions that it can to ensure that we secure the future of those individuals who are affected by the downturn in oil and gas. Malcolm Offord: During the election, the First Minister promised that his first debate in the chamber would be on the constitution, which would be followed by a request for a section 30 notice, and he has met that promise.”
“The First Minister: I understand the seriousness of the point that Mr Offord puts to me, but it is not me who is deferring to court action. I am dealing with the realities of living within the rule of law, which, as I have set out to Parliament, matters very much to me in how I conduct myself publicly. The Finch judgment requires climate compatibility assessments to be undertaken, so we cannot wish that requirement away. That is not a mealy-mouthed position; it is a reflection of the legal reality around us. I say to Mr Offord that I recognise that circumstances and dynamics have changed because of the situation in the middle east. One of our worries about supply is about jet fuel.”
“Obviously, the decision making on the issue is a matter for the United Kingdom Government—it must take the decision as to whether those tests can be satisfied as a consequence of any new licences that are issued. Malcolm Offord: I have to say that that was a pretty mealy-mouthed response from the First Minister, because all that it means is that we will end up being tied up in court action to work out whether those tests have been met. In the meantime, 1,000 jobs a month are being lost in the North Sea. Can the First Minister give unequivocal support for, for example, new drilling licences for the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields? Given that licensing and planning are under the control of the Scottish Government, it needs to step forward and make that happen for the people of the north-east.”
“The Scottish Government’s position is that if new developments are to be taken forward, they have to pass a climate compatibility assessment to ensure that the extraction of those resources is compatible with our journey to net zero. In that judgment, consideration must also be given to the issues around security of energy supply. The first part of my answer, in relation to climate compatibility assessments, is that there is a requirement on us to be compatible with the most recent Finch judgment on consenting of oil and gas licences. The second part of my answer, on security of supply, is that we must take into account the much more volatile circumstances that we now face as a consequence of what has happened in the middle east in recent weeks and months. That is the Scottish Government’s position.”
“He knows that the Labour Party is up to its neck in difficulty, whether it is about live criminal cases that involve former members of this Parliament or about Peter Mandelson and his influence over the Labour Government. Anas Sarwar has not got a leg to stand on in taking me to task on those issues. North Sea Gas Licensing 2.”
“He should be ashamed of himself and of what he said. There is one person, and one person alone, who is responsible for the embezzlement of my party’s funds—and that is Peter Murrell. When I became leader of the SNP, I promised to my party that there would be open dialogue, debate and scrutiny within our party, and that is precisely what I have delivered. That was just one of the many promises that I gave to the SNP and to the people of Scotland. I also promised that I would unite my party, and I succeeded in doing so, which is why there are 58 of us over here while there are 17 of them over there, on the Labour benches. As my last word to Mr Sarwar on the subject, I say to him gently that people in glass houses should not throw stones.”
“We have seen the dangerous outcomes of that culture: victims who reported the abuse by Patrick Grady threatened with legal and disciplinary action; SNP officials bullied and forced out by a First Minister for trying to reveal Murrell’s crimes; female MSPs bugged by SNP staff and then ignored by party leaders; and seven North Lanarkshire councillors forced out of the party for raising concerns about paedophile Jordan Linden. It is a culture that puts victims last, as though they are a threat to the cause. John Swinney has a choice. Will he back a parliamentary inquiry or will he double down on protecting a culture that he helped to build and that enabled a man that he appointed to embezzle more than £400,000? The First Minister: That was an astonishing attempt at victim blaming by Anas Sarwar.”
“That is what I am going to do, because I am a First Minister on Scotland’s side. Anas Sarwar: The purpose of a parliamentary inquiry would not be to look into the criminality— that is, of course, for the police to do. It would be to look at the culture, the process of decision making and lessons for the future. It would be to answer the many questions that the public have. That requires light and transparency, not the usual John Swinney and SNP playbook of shutting down or deflecting.”
“The First Minister: No, I will not back a parliamentary inquiry on that issue. The reason why I will not back a parliamentary inquiry is that we have just had a police investigation, which has gone on for five years. That police investigation identified criminality as the source of this particular issue; that is now being remedied in the courts. I do not think that there is anything that a parliamentary inquiry can add to a five-year forensic police investigation that has resulted in the successful prosecution of an individual and in his guilty plea. What I would rather do is concentrate on the priorities of the people of Scotland, as I always do—whether those are reducing waiting times in our hospitals, providing support to first-time buyers or making sure that we expand early learning and childcare.”
“I say to members on the SNP benches that many of their colleagues and supporters were victims of that culture and many of those with whom they now sit were part of it or benefited from that culture. Yes, Peter Murrell is responsible for his crimes, but secrecy and cover-up go far beyond one individual or one case. At the heart of the case is an SNP culture in which secrecy became normal, dissent was dangerous and people learned that speaking out carried a heavy price, all while those at the top of the SNP machine operated without scrutiny. Yesterday, we called for a parliamentary inquiry, as this is now a matter of public trust and integrity in office. John Swinney now says that he believes in honesty and transparency, so he should prove it. Will he back a parliamentary inquiry?”
“These issues have been addressed by a lengthy police investigation, and Peter Murrell is now facing the consequences of his actions. As for the remainder of Mr Sarwar’s comments, I simply note that he has peddled all of this for the past five years, unreservedly, aided by his deputy, who is sitting beside him. However, the people of Scotland made their verdict on 7 May, and they returned 58 SNP MSPs to this Parliament and the Labour Party was reduced in its numbers. I think that Mr Sarwar should change his script, because his script is not working. Anas Sarwar: That arrogant disposition of John Swinney is what has destroyed so many people’s lives in his own political party. John Swinney has been at the heart of the SNP for 30 years. He helped to build, enable and defend its culture.”
“As I said in answer to the urgent question that I responded to on Tuesday and in my public remarks on Monday, I am appalled at the conduct of Peter Murrell. As the police statement said on Monday, this was a lengthy and extremely complex case due to the scale of criminality over a 12-year period and the lengths to which Peter Murrell went to try to cover his tracks. It was a terrible example of behaviour and a breach of trust in public office, which I unreservedly condemn; I have made that abundantly clear. Members of my party, who have lost out as a consequence of seeing their donations and contributions not being used for the purposes for which they are intended—I am one of those people, because I am a contributor to the SNP, as are all my colleagues—live with the consequences of those totally unacceptable actions.”
“What Rachael Hamilton has put on the record today in that question is disrespectful to the judicial system in this country. It is an insult to the rule of law, and it should not be tolerated in this”
“In some of Rachael Hamilton’s comments, she is essentially questioning the independent decisions of the prosecution system in Scotland. I have placed it on the record that the public should take confidence from the fact that, no matter who you are, the police and Scotland’s courts will act with integrity and impartiality in all cases. That is an absolute foundation of our judicial system and the application of the rule of law. When I went to the court last Wednesday to take my oath in front of Lord Pentland, he reminded me and the country that there are three pillars of authority in this state: the judiciary, Parliament and the Government, and they are all independent. However, Lord Pentland also said that, for the rule of law to prevail, each must respect the other.”
“Can the First Minister tell the Parliament whether the Lord Advocate will publish the reasons why the Crown Office did not pursue charges against Nicola Sturgeon? The First Minister: We are getting into incredibly inappropriate territory with Rachael Hamilton’s question. The first point that I want to make is about the idea that I am sweeping this under the carpet. Rachael Hamilton appears to have missed the fact that I held a press conference yesterday afternoon and, for 50 minutes, answered the questions that were put to me by the media. Jackie Baillie demanded that I do such a thing, and I put that in place. Secondly, as Rachael Hamilton might have noticed, I am on my feet in the Scottish Parliament answering an urgent question. I think it is worthy of some respect that the issues are being addressed here by the First Minister.”
“Rachael Hamilton: John Swinney is desperately trying to sweep this scandal under the carpet and deny that there was any problem in 2021—that is on record. Peter Murrell will rightly face the full force of the law, but the public will question why the former First Minister did not face investigation. Nicola Sturgeon denies any knowledge of her husband’s crimes, despite using a 700-quid pen while checking the time on her five-grand watch and sipping coffee from a three-grand coffee machine. That is unbelievable. Normal married couples would question where that money came from. The Lord Advocate is responsible for all criminal prosecutions in Scotland, and she sits in the SNP Cabinet.”
“Given that the First Minister himself appointed Peter Murrell, will he tell the public whether he believes that his judgment was lacking? The First Minister: This is an incredibly difficult and painful case. The actions that were addressed in court yesterday are the actions of one individual: Peter Murrell. He has broken the law; he has acted in a criminal fashion; and he has embezzled hundreds of thousands of pounds from my party’s funds. That is the consequence of the actions of Peter Murrell. My decision to appoint Peter Murrell, as part of an interview process 25 years ago, before any of this behaviour started, is somewhat irrelevant. What has happened is a complete and utter betrayal of trust by a trusted individual, and that should never have happened. That is the responsibility of Peter Murrell and Peter Murrell alone.”
“I hope that the fact that Peter Murrell is now facing the consequences of his actions can provide the public with some confidence that, no matter who you are, the police and Scotland’s courts will act with integrity and impartiality in all cases. Rachael Hamilton: Let us spell out what happened. In 2021, Nicola Sturgeon denied that there was anything untoward in the SNP’s finances; months later, Police Scotland opened a formal investigation; and, in April 2023, a tent was erected by Police Scotland at Nicola Sturgeon’s family home and Peter Murrell was arrested. The SNP’s former chief executive appeared in court in March 2025, charged with embezzlement, and Nicola Sturgeon was let off without charge. Yesterday, Peter Murrell pled guilty to embezzling £400,000.”
“Peter Murrell’s guilty plea yesterday confirmed that the Scottish National Party—the ordinary members of my party—was embezzled out of hundreds of thousands of pounds of funds. His admission reveals a terrible breach of trust and an overwhelming betrayal. As Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston of Police Scotland said yesterday, “This was a lengthy and extremely complex case due to the scale of criminality over a 12-year period and the lengths Peter Murrell went to try and cover his tracks.” There has been an extensive police investigation into the matter over several years, during which every relevant aspect has been pored over by the authorities. That has led to a guilty plea from the person responsible.”
“What is at stake is the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland. The people have elected a new Parliament. This new Parliament has the opportunity today to make its position clear. I invite the Parliament to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands. Independence Referendum”
“Together, those offer a golden opportunity, which is one that I believe people will vote for resoundingly when our nation again has the ability to decide our own future in an independence referendum. Of course, that is why Westminster currently says no. However, to build on the words of one of the fathers of our self- government, we are the people, we are the people’s Parliament and we say yes. Today is the start of a process that I believe will lead Westminster to say yes to a referendum and Scotland to say yes to independence. Today, I seek confirmation from this Parliament that it is a voluntary union and that the people of Scotland have the right to decide whether we remain in that union. That principle should be accepted by all those in the chamber who believe in independence, as well as by those who believe in the union.”
“This is the true security that we have all experienced and that we all strive for when we know that our future is in our own hands and when we know, no matter the challenge, that we are able to choose and chart the right course. It is the security that will come from a renewed partnership with our neighbours in the European Union—a true partnership of equals with 27 other nations, friends and peers. We share a continent and we share a future. We will have greater prosperity because, with the opportunity of independence, we will have control over our own energy wealth and will be able to trade freely with the biggest single market in the world as a member, once again, of the European Union.”
“There will be greater security for women and girls, with a misogyny bill to outline misogynistic harassment and abuse in Scotland; a ban on the use of technology to create and possess deepfake intimate images; a ban on the possession of online material containing sex offences against women and children; and a ban on mobile phones in our schools. Fairness will be built into the very foundations of the new nation state that we aim and seek to build, with a Scottish constitution that protects our NHS and guarantees the fundamental human dignity of each and every person in our land—a Scottish constitution that is rooted in the values that speak to the very best of who we are. Security will come from being in charge of our own destiny.”
“There will be a clear shift in the balance of care, with more delivered in the community. Over the next three years, general practice will receive an additional £531 million, meaning that even more family doctors can be recruited as part of our plan to make it easier to access a GP and end the 8 am rush. That plan will be turbocharged with more GP walk-in clinics. In the next 100 days, we will open at least five more and confirm locations for another 14; they will be open in the evenings and at weekends, with no appointment needed.”
“A corner is being turned: operations and general practitioner numbers are up, and in- patient, out-patient and day-case waits are all down. Progress has been made and progress will continue, with a renewed focus on driving down waiting times by increasing capacity. We will invest an additional £90 million in elective capacity and increased investment in specialist recruitment and training places. Over the next 100 days, we will deliver at least 50,000 operations and procedures. By the end of this parliamentary session, we will ensure that no one waits longer than 26 weeks for treatment. We will reduce demand on acute services by investing more in prevention and early intervention, including one-stop shops in communities to provide lung and heart health MOTs.”
“I know that, for many, perhaps even for most, it can feel as though very little can be relied on any more. That is why we must give our citizens confidence that there is solid ground on which they can stand; more financial security, because they can see that help with costs is at the very top of this Government’s agenda; and a sense of security that comes from knowing that the right health and social care will be available when it is needed, from cradle to grave. Our NHS has weathered a storm—a decade of unprecedented pressures, from Covid to austerity and from rampant inflation to Brexit. Dealing with the pandemic was a generational challenge and one that our NHS staff rose to. We have faced the very worst, and we have proved ourselves to be resilient.”
“At a time when energy prices are rising and a time of energy scarcity, Scotland, as an exporter of energy, should have less to fear. We produce more oil, more gas and more electricity than we need, yet the prices that we pay, as households and businesses, are among the highest in Europe. It simply does not add up. We have the energy, and we have it in abundance, but we do not have the power, so I repeat—and Parliament will have the opportunity this week to agree—that Scotland’s energy must be in Scotland’s hands. These are times of great global uncertainty. Wages have stagnated and costs have risen, with the threat of a new round of inflation, higher interest rates and lower growth. Technology is fuelling rapid, unpredictable change. Parents are worried about what the future holds for their children.”
“Fairness must be given effect in a just transition that, right now, is under threat as a result of dangerous and damaging Westminster policies on energy and industry—Westminster policies that, once again, treat Scotland as little more than an afterthought. Westminster control over Scotland’s energy resources has been an unmitigated disaster for our nation. What is being done to the north-east today is just one example. There can be no doubt that the old ways of the Westminster Government have failed Scotland, so let us say loud and clear: for a just transition and for Scotland’s energy wealth to fully benefit Scotland’s people and communities, Scotland’s energy must be in Scotland’s hands. For Scotland, energy is a source of opportunity, prosperity and security.”