First Minister Alex Salmond
Principles and Priorities: Programme for Government
Scottish Parliament
September 5, 2007
Presiding Officer,
Today it gives me great pleasure to set out the objectives and legislative priorities of this Scottish Government for the coming year.
I do so in a different way to those who have delivered this speech before.
Some of the reasons for that are obvious - the people of Scotland know that this minority Government operates in a Parliament different to any other elected since 1999 - one created by them in which the Government can propose and lead but cannot compel or dictate.
As First Minister, I therefore respond to that democratic desire for shared political leadership by introducing a programme which persuades - rather than one which asserts the domination of one party or coalition or one world view.
I hope that members will find a great deal in what is announced today which reflects those shared values and objectives.
That was one pledge to this Chamber when we took office 112 days ago. Another was that this Government did not believe that every problem - however big or however small - could or should be resolved through legislation.
Politicians often like to believe that we exist to make law - and that only through constantly changing the law we achieve our policy objectives.
That view of political leadership is mistaken.
Perhaps in its early days this Parliament felt it had to legislate to be seen to justify its existence. But Scotland has moved on and just as we have a Parliament not an Assembly so we now have a Government not an Executive.
Today, I ask the chamber to support the 11 Government bills in this year's programme, but never to confuse that legislative activity - important as it is - with the totality of what Government can achieve.
In truth, most people already believe there is too much legislation and yearn for a more considered and more restricted approach. I embrace that sense of legislative restraint.
It is not the purpose of Government to legislate - rather it is for Government and Parliament to legislate with a purpose.
Presiding Officer, in that context I will doubtless be criticised by some on the basis that the 11 Government bills in this programme is still higher than the 8 bills introduced by Donald Dewar in his speech in 1999. Others might criticise because the figure is lower than the 15 bills introduced by Jack McConnell in 2003. Such are the joys of national leadership!
Yet I say to all members that each of the bills has been properly considered and deserves to be passed by this chamber.
This Government has adopted an approach to Government based on three objectives.
First, we believe that to win and retain the trust of the people requires an administration willing to focus on showing competence and direction in the day to day business of government.
Secondly, we believe also that the people of Scotland want a Government based on principle but able to move with mainstream opinion to build consensus in the public interest.
But thirdly, we also believe that Government must always be about vision. Restoring belief in the power of democratically elected Government to effect change - something which remains one of the great challenges for any modern Government - is about focusing on the 'possible' rather than merely accepting the status quo.
That means painting a picture of a better, more dynamic society and offering Scotland a radical and inspirational choice about our future. Our National Conversation seeks to do precisely that.
At the end of the four year term of this Government, those are the objectives - competence, consensus and vision - against which we should be judged. Of course that judgement could come earlier if the opposition parties wished to force an election!
Indeed, I read that an electoral test could come as early as next month. However, that is a matter for the Prime Minister and, of course, I wouldn't dream of intruding into a reserved matter.
Just for the record , however, I would welcome a Westminster election next month - just as long as it is not organised by the Scotland Office under electronic voting!
Presiding Officer, it is the very stuff of politics that parties like to have a go at each other - a vibrant democracy demands no less.
But equally, I would be disappointed in the parties in this chamber were not able to acknowledge some of what this Government has already achieved. The first 100 days of this Government have been marked by a sense of purpose.
Specific commitments we pledged in Opposition and now delivered or on their way to delivery in Government. Some were even things we didn't say we would definitely be able to do but delivered anyway.
If we take for example Mr Presiding Officer one area of Scotland dear to your heart- Ayrshire and the south west. Important initiatives such as assisting the Duke of Rothesay in the development of Dumfries House for the nation and for Ayrshire and even more important yet, not just saving but developing access to University education at the Crichton campus in Dumfries.
In February of this year David Mundell MP said it would take a miracle to save Glasgow University participation in the Crichton campus. It is now official - miracles happen in an SNP run Scotland!
It is of course Mr Presiding Officer hugely important that ALL of Scotland has access to high quality higher education - just as it is important that all girls in Scotland have access to cervical cancer vaccination - another announcement made beyond our 100 day programme.
And looking back on these 100 days it would be remiss not to record my profound thanks to all those throughout Scotland who united in recent months to face the twin challenges of a foot and mouth outbreak south of the border and a terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport. I know that every member in the Chamber will share my view that both serious episodes were responded to in such a way that ensured the minimum of damage and disruption. Both events in their own different ways illustrated the immense value of Scottish community solidarity.
Against that background, let me turn to the legislative programme I am pleased to announce today. With your permission Presiding Officer I will attempt to approach both the bills and other Government action in a broadly thematic way.
Let me turn first, Presiding Officer to the economy.
Members will recall that our stated ambition is to create a wealthier and a fairer Scotland. Members will also know that sustainable economic growth is our highest priority which is why the first meeting of the Council of Economic Advisers later this month matters so much. We look to that Council for expert guidance in driving up the Scottish growth rate.
All that this country can achieve depends on developing our nation as a high growth, vibrant economy. In the modern global economy, even the greatest political ambition is doomed to failure without an economy driving employment, investment, research and development and rewarding success.
Our economic strategy will focus on three areas in particular - on lowering business tax and simplifying regulation, on boosting skills and on improving the focus and delivery of our enterprise network.
We have already made our intentions clear on reducing business tax and other burdens.
In the view of this administration, lower business tax for small business will provide an impetus to get our economy moving.
We will also reform the enterprise network to simplify the delivery of those services to business and the Cabinet Secretary will make further announcements on that in early course.
In addition, we are committed to assisting business by creating a single environment and rural service for those who deal regularly with agencies such as SEPA and SNH.
In terms of the rural areas of Scotland themselves, the coming six years will see a £1.6 billion development programme to support business ventures and encourage business diversification. That is a strong indication of this Government's commitment.
But although much of economic policy does not require primary legislation, there are a number of legislative bills which we believe can, and will, make a difference.
Accordingly, in this parliamentary year, we will introduce our Abolition of Bridge Tolls Bill to make good our commitment to remove the tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges.
This Chamber is already aware of the Government's view that it is unacceptable and unfair to leave the two road bridges in and out of Fife as the only remaining toll bridges in Scotland - but the removal of the tolls will undoubtedly be a welcome boost to the local economies in Tayside and around the Forth.
And as we move forward with key infrastructure projects around Scotland we have made rapid progress with the consultation exercise on the strategically necessary new Forth crossing.
This parliamentary year, we will also introduce our Creative Scotland Bill - to establish a new cultural development body, Creative Scotland, by amalgamating the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.
This year an incredible 1.7 million tickets were sold at the Edinburgh Fringe. Culture of course has a value in itself but also in generating jobs and income for our economy.
I believe that this Bill will pave the way for a much stronger creative sector in Scotland that will serve our economic interests and promote our culture for decades to come and we will also be informed by the Scottish Broadcasting Commission on the vital role of broadcasting in our national and cultural life.
Another Bill which will assist individuals and companies alike is the introduction, this year, of the Interest ( Scotland ) Bill in order to develop fair and consistent rules for the application of interest rates to payments of debt and damages in Scotland.
As this Chamber will be aware, this reform has already been recommended by the Scottish Law Commission, and is long overdue. It is my hope that such a measure will achieve cross-party support.
Presiding Officer, let me also make a brief mention of future legislation in the slightly more contentious area of Local Income Tax.
In the coming Parliamentary year, we will begin consultation on our proposals to replace the unfair and discredited council tax with a fair local income tax, based on the ability to pay.
There is, I believe, a majority in Scotland for a fairer system of taxation. Over the course of this Parliament we shall see if there is a majority in this Chamber.
In the late Autumn, our Strategic Spending Review will set out our policies for the next four years in a comprehensive and detailed way - it's purpose to explain how we will invest the resources available to this Government for the remainder of the parliamentary term in order to achieve our ambitions for Scotland.
Later this parliamentary year, we will therefore introduce the annual Budget Bill to finance the public services Scotland needs.
The predictions from Westminster are for a tight budget round. However the level of squeeze in the money available to the Scotland from Westminster remains unclear until later next month.
But members can be assured that the Government will bring forward a full, transparent and costed programme to meet that budget.
At a time when the National Conversation over the future of this Parliament's ability to raise and spend its own revenue based on the success of our own economy is centre stage, I pause briefly, Presiding Officer, simply to note the absurdity of this Parliament being responsible for spending money passed from London but being in a position where even higher growth and greater prosperity in Scotland would not alter the sums available to a Scottish Government - of whatever political hue - to spend in the Scottish national interest.
But that, Presiding Officer, is a debate to which we shall return.
A critical aspect of increasing economic growth is creating a smarter Scotland.
Already in the first 100 days, members will be aware of our efforts to drive down class sizes and increase the number of teaching places. But we need to do more.
That is precisely why, in this parliamentary year, we will introduce our Graduate Endowment (Abolition) Bill to abolish the Graduate Endowment Fee for graduates from this year forward. That will benefit 50,000 students in Scotland who will no longer be asked to pay back end fees after University.
We do so in the certain knowledge that, if we are to compete as a nation in the global economy, we need to upskill Scotland. That means more Scots in the workforce with higher vocational skills - and it means many more with graduate skills too.
It is clear that if we are to turn Scotland into a powerhouse economy, we must remove, not erect, barriers to degree level education. This, after all, is the country who pioneered the principle of universal free education. I am proud to lead a Government which re-establishes it.
In the area of rural schools, it remains our position that there should be a legislative presumption against closure - and after the necessary consultation it is our intention to bring forward proposals to safeguard rural schools and the communities of which they are part.
Some matters, at this stage, do not require legislation. For example, our commitment to an early years strategy is one which has support across the chamber and on the much debated issue of free school meals, my Government will establish a pilot of free school meal for all primary 1 to 3 children in selected local authorities.
Presiding Officer, in the coming weeks, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong learning shall publish our Skills Strategy to provide a fresh agenda for skills and learning in Scotland.
In the coming months we will also be developing our plans for a science and innovation strategy which has such a pivotal role in our future prosperity.
A skilled people, an economy with a competitive edge. These are the ways to transform economic performance.
Presiding Officer, the link between economic well-being and the health of the nation is also well-established. This parliamentary year, therefore, will also focus on making progress toward making Scotland healthier.
We do so both from an economic perspective and also, more fundamentally, as a moral imperative for any Government.
Turning the Scottish health record around is a long-term mission but it is one in which this Government seeks the support of all parties.
During our first 100 days, we have already taken some important steps toward helping people sustain and improve their health.
We have made a commitment to a new 18 week guarantee, covering the entire patient pathway from referral by a GP to admission to hospital, by the end of 2011.
Moreover, we have pledged to abolish the hidden waiting lists which cause anguish and frustration to so many.
We have established the Sutherland Review to look at the future funding free personal care. We are determined not only to enhance free personal care provision, but to secure its place at the heart of the social care agenda. Free personal care is an achievement of which this Parliament can be justifiably proud. Our priority now is to protect and enhance the delivery of that care to those in need.
We will also work with others in this chamber to improve the Government's efforts to tackle the scourge of drugs which afflicts so many of our communities across Scotland.
And we have made it clear to NHS Boards that we fully expect them to deliver the 62 day cancer target from this December 2007.
And, Presiding Officer, while I know our decision to continue A&E services at Ayr and Monklands hospitals was fiercely contested in this Chamber, the decision we reached wasn't just popular - it was also the right thing to do.
But if the debate over Ayr and Monklands reinforced anything it is surely that we must never forget that the NHS is a public service. It is a service used by the public and it is a service paid for by the public.
And as we look to the parliamentary year ahead, we must therefore never forget that is the duty of health boards - and of responsive government - to take full account of particular local views and circumstances.
Accordingly, we will introduce our Local Healthcare Bill to give greater patient and community involvement in delivery of local health service and introduce direct elections to National Health Service Boards.
Presiding Officer, we will also introduce a Public Health Bill. This Bill will be designed to comprehensively modernise our public health legislation - which is currently set out in a number of acts dating as far back as 1897.
Whilst I have already noted that legislation is not always the answer, even I, Presiding Officer, have to concede that after 110 years, the need for reform is irresistible.
The purpose of that Bill is to redefine and clarify the relationships between Ministers, Health Boards and Local Authorities. It is specifically designed to strengthen the role of those Health Boards and has a range of measures including giving effect to international obligations designed to prevent the spread of disease.
In terms of future legislation, it is also appropriate at this time to consult on how best to implement our Patients' Rights Bill - a draft measure which includes the right to an individual waiting time guarantee.
Away from primary legislation, but also in this parliamentary year, we will develop our comprehensive health strategy to equip the health service for the challenges of the future.
In that strategy, we will detail our plans for providing better access to GP appointments; introducing health checks in schools in disadvantaged areas; and action taken to raise the age of buying tobacco from 16 to 18.
We will also proceed on the basis that what people in Scotland want is flexible access to care - a move away from the rigidity of the traditional system.
We have already made it clear that, if necessary, we will pursue these measures with secondary legislation.
Presiding Officer, in my view public health is the biggest social challenge facing this Parliament and this country.
We will require a concerted and united cross-party effort to make progress but let me be clear today about why that challenge requires to be met head on.
It is unacceptable that eight of the ten areas in the UK with the lowest life expectancy are in Glasgow.
And it is surely a matter of national scandal that life expectancy in war torn Iraq remains higher than in some areas of the largest city in Scotland.
And which member in this chamber is not shamed by reports, such as that recently from the charity Barnardos, highlighting that despite all the efforts of previous governments, 1 in 10 Scottish children are living in severe poverty, another 1 in 5 live in houses with an income of less than £10,000 and 1 in 3 don't have access to an NHS dentist.
Those figures challenge our claims to be caring, compassionate and cohesive as a society. They should compel this Parliament to devise new and innovative ways to reach those in our society successive Governments have left behind.
Our united belief in social justice demands no less.
Presiding Officer, it is also clearly my hope that this Chamber will unite around another Bill we will introduce - the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Bill.
I know that Glasgow 2014 has support across the Chamber and across the country. If we are successful the legislation will help ensure that we host a Games that all of Scotland and all of the Commonwealth can be proud.
Undoubtedly, the Games represent a massive opportunity to promote Scotland on the world stage - as well as developing the facilities and providing the inspiration to get more young Scots physically active.
Passing that Bill is an important part of our commitment to winning the Games for Glasgow and for Scotland and I urge every member to consider it favourably.
Presiding Officer, in relation to Scotland's international profile, let me also be clear that we will positively and fully engage in the crucial debates about the future of the European Union. Moreover, this Government will not be shy in representing a Scottish view on critical international events and will ensure that a distinctive Scottish voice is heard on international matters which are of importance to the people of Scotland.
This Government and indeed this Parliament has an obligation to express the views of the Scottish people on all matters which are of concern to them. We were right to do so in relation to the invasion of Iraq and are right to do so now and in the future.
We also intend to reach out to Scots around the globe and engage with that diaspora in a more substantial and meaningful way. The broadening and deepening of those relationships is critical to our international profile and economic success just as developing our international aid effort is a moral imperative.
Mr Presiding Officer, returning to domestic matters, it was also the stated intention of the new Government during the election campaign to create a safer and stronger Scotland.
We have already made significant progress in negotiations with Westminster on the transfer of responsibilities for firearms to this parliament.
We will press ahead for agreement, with a view to introducing secondary legislation later in this parliamentary year to protect Scots from the dangers of airguns.
And, of course, only a fortnight ago, we announced plans for a new prison in the North East.
After years of indecision, we have taken a positive decision to replace the Victorian facilities in Aberdeen and Peterhead with a brand new state of the art prison in the area.
Moreover, the new prison - like the replacement prison at Bishopbriggs - will be a prison run in the public sector, for the public good, and not for private profit. This represents a huge shift in direction from the previous Government and I was pleased to see that it received a warm welcome.
Equally, we know that a visible police presence on the streets is the best means we have of reassuring communities throughout Scotland.
We know too that high visibility policing deters criminals.
That is why we shall set out later this year our proposal of working with the police and others to increase capacity by the equivalent of 1000 officers and seek to place them in our communities.
We shall also introduce our Judiciary ( Scotland ) Bill to legally establish a Judicial Appointments Board and help modernise the organisation and leadership of our judiciary.
That means putting the Court System under the direction of the Lord President. It means enshrining the independence of the Judiciary whilst also allowing for a more modern and accountable system which is designed to enhance public confidence.
In the area of criminal law, we'll introduce our Rape and Sexual Offences Bill - to reform the law on rape and sexual offences in light of the Scottish Law Commission's review.
Presiding Officer, if any member was ever in doubt about the need for action in this area, the figures published yesterday will have made the position clear.
At the same time as a 10% rise in sexual assaults, clear up rates for rape and indecent assault fell to 67% and 59% respectively.
Part of that is due to a lack of confidence from victims that the legal process will secure a conviction and it is therefore right that this Government and this Parliament acts.
Presiding Officer, in the time available let me also address the final strategic priority which demands our attention - the creation of a greener Scotland.
Members will know that one of our first acts in government was to make clear our opposition to any new nuclear power stations being built in Scotland - and, we have made this central to our Greener Scotland programme.
Scotland has a unique opportunity to develop one of the strongest renewable and green energy industries in Europe - and, a world centre for excellence.
We have a potential resource that is enough to meet our own electricity needs many times over. We have an outstanding level of academic, business and industrial expertise. Those who doubt the potential should note that on Friday - Green Energy Day - we shall mark the fact that the installed capacity of the range of renewables in Scotland has now overtaken the installed capacity of nuclear power.
But electricity generation is only one part of making our contribution to this planetary imperative. We will also consult on a Climate Change Bill to tackle the problem of climate change and establish mandatory targets to reduce our emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
As an important part of realising our renewable and green energy potential, we will also continue to develop our proposals for a North Sea super grid. We have already met with the European Commission to discuss the idea, and will meet with the Norwegian government shortly.
A critical part of that strategy is to remove the economic barriers to developing renewable energy and I want to emphasise today the commitment of the Government to drive that message home in our negotiations with OFGEM.
We will make our contribution to the international effort but we also must protect our citizens from the impact of an increasingly uncertain climate.
So, this parliamentary year, we will also introduce our Flooding Prevention Bill. The current flooding prevention laws date from 1961, and are no longer flexible enough to address the situations we face today.
In terms of future legislation, Presiding Officer, I also give forward notice to the Parliament we will consult in the coming year on our plans for Scottish Marine legislation.
Presiding Officer, whilst I have set out the Government's immediate programme for the coming year and given some indications of further action to follow in subsequent years, I am also conscious of the opportunity in this Parliament to build consensus on areas of common interest.
I am also mindful that the role and function of backbench politicians deserves to be treated with respect. Accordingly, I am pleased to announce that we have considered the Scottish Register of Tartans Bill proposed by Jamie McGrigor and have agreed that if he is minded to reintroduce it he will have our support.
Similarly Ken McIntosh's proposals for restricting sunbed use to help reduce the incidence of skin cancer has merit and we will discuss with him how they best can be taken forward into legislation.
Presiding Officer, demonstrating competence in Government means introducing policy initiatives and legislation designed to deliver change for the better in Scotland, but doing so in a way which builds a Parliamentary majority in this chamber.
But looking at Government just in the context of annual programmes is artificial.
Because the big challenges - in kick starting the Scottish economy, in transforming public health, in driving educational attainment, in building a just and caring society and in fundamentally changing the way we view our environment - are about the long term.
Members will know that this Government has launched a National Conversation on the choices for the people of Scotland about the kind of country in which they wish to live. The response to that has been remarkable.
In one sense, that conversation is an emerging choice about whether we are ready to return to being an independent nation or whether there is a just a view for greater powers to be passed to this Parliament.
But fundamentally, it is about much more than the constitution.
It is about how we create the vibrant economy, the healthy society and the socially and environmentally just society in which we - all of us - believe.
This Government believes in an independent Scotland precisely because it is our view that the transformation of our country in each and every of those policy areas can best be achieved through that normal, independent status.
That is our vision. That is the 'possible Scotland' which goes beyond the programme I am able to offer Parliament today.
Others have a different view. I respect that.
Moreover, as our programme today makes clear - we are ready, willing and able to work within the current devolved Parliament to improve the lives of every person in this country.
But the challenge for the coming year - particularly in this new political landscape where all parties and all members of this chamber have a shared sense of national leadership - is for every party to crystallise their vision for Scotland and to consider what this nation can be in 10, 20 or 50 years.
Vitally, it is also about equipping this Parliament with the tools to make that happen.
Years of underperformance tells us the status quo is not capable of delivering the step change in Scottish life we all want to see. That much, I think, is accepted to some extent at least by every Member.
Accordingly, Presiding Officer, in commending to this Parliament our Programme for Government - as I unreservedly do - I ask also that we remain focused not just on this year or next - but on the country we can be, the country we should be, the country we must be.
And it is why this is not just as legislative programme, nor even a Government programme but a programme for Scotland.