First minister publishes policy prospectus

Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf has published a new policy prospectus, which outlines how the government will deliver for Scotland over the next three years.

Three missions centred on the themes of equality, opportunity and community will be central to his government.

The policy prospectus was announced during Yousaf's first major statement to Parliament as first minister.

Yousaf intends to reach agreement on a ‘New Deal for Scottish Business’. The statement also revealed that the launch of Deposit Return Scheme will be set for March next year, that proposals on alcohol advertising will go “back to the drawing board” and that the Scottish Government will look at ways to use Business Rates to boost business and further support communities.

The prospectus is entitled ‘New Leadership - A Fresh Start’ and sets out the key aims the government intends to achieve in each Cabinet portfolio.

Other aims include confirmation of a further £1.3 billion investment for the Scottish Child Payment over the next three years; improved cancer outcomes through better prevention and diagnostics, including expanded Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services in Lanarkshire and Borders by June 2023 and investment of up to £25 million to convert suitable properties into affordable homes for key workers and others, as part of an action plan to increase housing in remote, rural and island areas.

Yousaf said: “Scotland is a land of opportunity, I’m very proud of that fact, I’m proud to be a product of that.

"My grandparents came to this country in the 1960s, barely speaking English, little money in their pockets. Despite the challenges they faced, and at times hostility they faced, due to their background, they overcame those barriers and provided a life for their children, and for their grandchildren that I will forever be grateful for.

“It is my responsibility to ensure every family in Scotland has that equality of opportunity, regardless of their background or where they live in Scotland.

“I am optimistic we can achieve that equality of opportunity, and the three missions that I have set out today, will determine the priorities of the government that I lead for the rest of this parliamentary session, and help us to achieve that.

“Together, we will be focused on the delivery, we will ensure that we have affordable, ambitious measures in place, which protect our environment, which protect business prosperity, they improve people’s well-being, and they reduce poverty.

"They will ensure the actions we take over the next three years, stand Scotland in good stead for the next decade to come. And they will use our present, very significant, strengths to deliver a fresh start for Scotland.”

Image: Scottish Government, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons