Scotland's 2050 vision rests on achieving independence
In two keynote speeches this week, John Swinney will set out his vision for the country in the coming decades and encourage leaders to come together to deliver a national renewal 'in the spirit of optimism and hope'.
On Monday, he will address those in the health, local government, education, justice and third sectors in Glasgow.
He will set out his case for public service reforms in the medium term and how new technology will be key to delivering this.
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On Tuesday, the SNP leader will address the Scotland 2050 Conference in Edinburgh, where he will say that independence is key to achieving Scotland's goals for the middle of the century.
Speaking ahead of the speeches, Swinney attacked austerity, which he said had weakened the UK and hurt the most vulnerable.
But he urged Scots to be positive about their future.
He said: 'Times are tough right now for a lot of people – and when that is the case, it can be easy to forget how much there is to be positive about in Scotland.
'As First Minister, I see so much collaboration, ingenuity and innovation taking place around the country.
'Our collective task is to harness what is going well ensure every part of Scotland can thrive.'
The First Minister said the UK had been a 'perfect example of how not to prepare for the future'.
He said: 'After the devastating financial crash of 2008, Westminster's response was not to hold those who were responsible to account – but rather to punish those not responsible.
'Social security support was taken from vulnerable people, funding for vital public services was cut and living standards were eroded.'
He described austerity as 'morally wrong' and that it had negatively impacted the nation's health, skills and infrastructure, adding that 'it is clear that that short-sighted decision has also been fiscally disastrous in the long-term'.
He said: 'Why cut funding to invest in new technologies when we know it can save in the long term?
'Why take away young people's opportunities if it will reduce their potential to thrive as adults?
'Why cut the winter fuel payment if it leads to older people more exposed to ill health?'
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He went on: 'The harsh lesson of that 15 years of lost opportunity must spur us on to building a better future – let us deliver a spirit of optimism and hope.
'In the year 2050, do we want to be looking back on how we picked up the pieces from another 25 years of Westminster mismanagement?
'Or should we look around us at our immense potential today, and have the confidence that we can do better with the full powers of independence?
'The Scotland I seek is modern and dynamic; it is an enterprising, compassionate, forward-looking nation that is well-placed to ride the waves of change rather than being buffeted by them, rather than being overwhelmed by them.
'A Scotland where tomorrow is better than today because – together – we have made it so.'
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Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Many traders worry they could be priced out, pushed aside, or left behind Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Others are worried the character of the market won't survive the changes Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Sue French, 60, who has worked at Ellis's Pet Store for 43 years, blames the decline on competition Credit: Paul Edwards Hammersmith and Fulham Council approved Yoo Capital's £5million proposal to regenerate the area in late 2023, leading to gentrification fears among traders. The housing development will be located on the Old Laundry Site land opposite the market and includes the demolition of an apparent former homeless hostel. The council will manage the homes, with the scheme to include the revamp of sections of the market space itself, leaving many traders worried they'll be ushered out. However, many say the death knell was already sounded back in 2008, when the gargantuan Westfield shopping centre first opened. The modern mall covers 2,600,000 sq ft and cost £1.6 billion, featuring high street giants like John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Next and Primark - meaning footfall at the market has been declining for years. And that's to mention the rise of online shopping, with people preferring to shop at Amazon - which is also causing devastating problems for more established outlets, and was accelerated during the Covid pandemic. 'Growth and potential' For stallholders like Bobby Singhy, 45, whose family has been part of the market for over five decades, the place holds deep personal value. 'The market is wonderful, great characters, always here to help one another,' he told The Sun this week. 'There's a lot of growth and potential in this area. My stall has been here for 55 years—my grandad, then my dad, then me.' Others are worried the character of the market won't survive the changes. Wrecking machines move in to demolish 'ghost town' Scots estate dubbed 'Britain's Chernobyl' Sue French, 60, who has worked at Ellis's Pet Store for 43 years, blames the decline on competition. 'The market has changed a lot over the years," she said. "This used to be busy but when they made Westfield that killed us." 'At the moment, Yoo Capital are trying to fix it.' Traders say footfall has plummeted in recent years. 'I've seen lots and lots of people just walk past the market,' said Sue. 'The bus doesn't even stop near the market. People can't afford to rent stalls here… they're here for a few months and leave. "This is the only original part of Shepherd's Market that is left.' This used to be busy but when they made Westfield that killed us. Sue French Joanna Lee, 58, a lifelong local, fears that too much is being lost to development and that the market's unique character is under threat. 'They can't build over this — you can't take away this market… I believe we're witnessing the death of the market,' she said. 'I've grown up on this market and I don't want it to change because that's how it starts. "This used to be the place to go. There were lots and lots of shops all selling different things, and now the stalls are one by one packing up and closing." 'Now it doesn't matter' One jewellery stall worker, who has been at the market for 40 years, but asked not to be named, fears promises won't be kept. 'The market is very quiet – in the old days, weekends were packed - but now it doesn't matter,' she said. 'Yoo Capital said they won't gentrify and will regenerate it instead… I'm not worried as long as it's not gentrified.' 10 Market trader Bobby Singhy, 45, operates a stall previously occupied by his grandad and dad Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Abdul Idris, 60, believe the area needs a change Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Tony Lucky, 67, said online shopping and parking price rises are killing the market Credit: Paul Edwards The developers' deal struck with the council will see new homes and shops at one end, and investment in the rest of the market space. But not everyone is convinced it will be a good thing. 'There's a danger of Shepherd's Bush Market becoming gentrified like Brixton Market. There's been a lot of changes over the years,' said the unnamed local. 'This market is so multicultural and has a lot of life. "We have a wave of Asians, Afghans, Arabs and any changes may put people off from entering. "And that includes any major changes Yoo Capital makes." Online has defeated us and people going straight to Amazon and ordering from China. There's no parking and that's been the most challenging thing – it's acting like a deterrent to a lot of customers. Tony Lucky Tony Lucky, 67, owner of ZamZam Luggage, blames high parking charges and online competition. 'Online has defeated us and people going straight to Amazon and ordering from China,' he said. 'There's no parking and that's been the most challenging thing – it's acting like a deterrent to a lot of customers. Every hour it costs £5 or you get a parking fine of £80. 'Yoo Capital want to build more flats and don't care about the market,' he said. 'This market has been here 100 years and no problem – but now they want to break all this and rebuild the flats.' 'We need a change, but the right one' Abdul Idris, 60, has worked at his home goods stall since childhood. 'Tesco and other big stuff have been taking the spotlight away from shops in the market,' he said. 'We need a change of things. Development is happening but I don't know when – we need a change, but the right one.' For many, there's still hope. Laura Sakstein, 67, who runs 'This is Nuts', a family-run store her father opened in 1933, believes the market has life left in it. 'Back in the day it was packed – you couldn't get in the market,' she said. 'It's not just Shepherd's Bush, it's retail everywhere today.' 'Walthamstow used to be a fabulous market but I don't think it is what it was. "It's got potential, this place, but we need new variety,' she said. 'Community spirit is what it's all about. Westfield shouldn't be competition to the market. Retail everywhere is suffering.' According to Yoo Capital, the redevelopment is meant to protect the market's future. Redevelopment plan A 9-storey commercial building will be built on the Old Laundry Site next to the market, with 40 council-managed homes and upgrades to existing stalls. A spokesperson for Yoo Capital stated: 'Our commitment to the Market remains as strong as when we acquired the site in 2020. "Following the granting of full planning permission at the end of 2024, we have been hard at work, formulating the most cohesive plan for construction. "This allows us to not only look forward to the best final result – where traders can enjoy an upgraded market that better supports their needs – but also considers the effect of construction, minimising disruption to trade and ensuring the Market remains open throughout, as it has done for the past 111 years.' Louise Page-Jennings, a spokesperson for Yoo Capital, also shared with The Sun: 'We are carefully curating the Market and will introduce new tenants through the Market Academy during the construction process.' The Academy will offer free training to traders on merchandising, marketing, and business skills. She added, 'The Market will remain open throughout the works, with efforts in place to minimize any disruption.' Ms Page-Jennings said traders will be offered support worth over £5 million, including rent-free options during construction, sabbaticals, or lease buyouts. Those choosing to stay can access compensation of £7,500 to £12,500, plus up to £50,000 in profit-loss support, she added. A minimum of £7,500 financial support for traders that wish to open during construction. And no rent or service charge during Market construction Traders on sabbatical may receive up to £3,000 a month in payments and get brand new units or funds to upgrade existing ones. Rents will be fixed for five years after construction ends — but the market will eventually be opened to private buyers. Critics say that leaves uncertainty about what happens next. Paul Bardini, 69, whose grandfather first worked in the market in 1919, sees the other side. 'The investment could give the market a face-lift and bring in new customers,' he said. As traders wait and watch, hope hangs in the air — alongside fears of losing something irreplaceable. The Sun has contacted Westfield and Hammersmith and Fulham Council for comment. Do you know more? Email 10 Laura Sakstein, 67, is remaining positive and believes the market still has a place in today's world Credit: Paul Edwards 10 The market first opened 111 years ago Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Westfield shopping centre in Shepherds Bush opened in 2008 Credit: The Sun
