
Programme for Government will be published on Tuesday
New measures to strengthen Scotland's public services and ensure people are supported during the cost-of-living crisis will be set out by the First Minister this week.
First Minister, John Swinney, will deliver his Programme for Government on Tuesday 6 May, focused on his four key priorities – eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, investing in public services and tackling the climate emergency.
The First Minister announced last month that he would bring forward the Programme for Government from its expected publication date post-summer to enable a full year of delivery before the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
The First Minister said: 'Times are tough for households and businesses across Scotland, and the world around us is changing in ways that are difficult to predict.
'But my promise to the people of Scotland is that amidst the uncertainty there is one thing they can be sure of: the government I lead will always seek to do what is best for Scotland.
'As First Minister, I will always put the needs and interests of the people of Scotland first.
'I made the decision to bring my Programme for Government forward to ensure people know that the government I lead is entirely focused on improving their lives.
'On Tuesday, I will bring my plan to Parliament that will strengthen our health service and ensure more money stays in people's pockets during this cost of living crisis.
'The 2025-26 Programme for Government will make Scotland healthier and wealthier.'
The First Minister making a keynote speech given to delegates of the Better Society Academy at The Social Hub in Glasgow on Friday 2 May 2025 PHOTO courtesy of The Scottish Government
Like this:
Like
Related
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Our Auld Enemy rivalry will always be part of our DNA — but look to the US and Canada for the next great national drama
ZARA JANJUA Our Auld Enemy rivalry will always be part of our DNA — but look to the US and Canada for the next great national drama Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WE Scots pride ourselves on being world-class grudge holders. For centuries, the English have been our go-to national frenemy — the original source of cultural, political and footie-based beef. But while we've been locked in this existential tug-of-war with England, another rivalry has been quietly gathering momentum across the Atlantic. 4 Scottish Sun columnist Zara Credit: The Sun 4 Our Auld Enemy rivalry with England will always be part of our DNA Credit: PA 4 Donald Trump with new Canadian PM Mark Carney Credit: AP 4 Matthew Tkachuk of Team USA fights with Brandon Hagel of Team Canada during the first period in the 4 Nations Face-Off game Credit: Getty And I hate to say it, but it might just outdo ours in both stakes and pettiness. I speak, of course, of Canada vs the United States — a feud with the energy of a polite street fight outside a farmers' market, but one that could soon eclipse our age-old Anglo-Scottish sparring. One close point from the US to Canada is the border between Detroit, Michigan (US) and Windsor, Ontario (Canada), which spans the Detroit River. This week I flew to Detroit and crossed the border by car into Windsor. On one side, muscle cars and MAGA hats; on the other, maple leaves and passive resistance. Landing in the US, I found myself wondering: Have I ever tweeted something spicy enough to be flagged by Homeland Security? I'm a liberal Pakistani-Scottish woman with a fondness for human rights and sarcasm — so, probably. I even censored myself mid-flight while chatting to the woman beside me, just in case my views got me deported before I'd even finished my pretzels. As it turned out, I sailed through immigration. But the process felt Orwellian — less Big Brother, more Big Border Patrol. It was the first time I felt that my politics, passport and profile picture might be under review by an algorithm with a grudge. Trump crushes hopes of 'peace talks' call with Musk as he insists Elon has 'lost his mind' after feud went nuclear Last week King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in Ottawa, 400 miles from Windsor — like some royal advance party sent to remind Canada they're not available for franchise. Charles was there to open Parliament and, unofficially, to stick a diplomatic elbow between Canada and Trump's vision of turning it into a Walmart with trees. Trump had recently floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st US state — a suggestion so absurd it made The Handmaid's Tale look like a romcom. But Canadians, long stereotyped as gentle pacifists with a fetish for fleece, have started pushing back with the Elbows Up movement. Time to tan and pair up again TEN years. That's how long Love Island has been thrusting bronzed 20-somethings into a villa armed with veneers, trust issues, and bikinis smaller than their moral compasses. And somehow, despite the rise of AI lovers and Hinge horror stories, the show's stayed loyal to its original premise: couple-up or get dumped. In this economy? That's practically a marriage vow. Tomorrow, the 12th series washes ashore – and just like your ex, it'll turn up every weekday at 9pm, whether you want it to or not. But credit where it's due: in an age of ghosting, orbiting and situationships, the transactional honesty is almost refreshing. Find someone hot. Stay together. Win. If only the rest of us had a narrator explaining where we went wrong with that man from Fife who 'wasn't ready to label things'. 'Elbows Up, Canada!' is their national pep talk, a slogan born from ice hockey legend Gordie Howe, who once said: 'If a guy slashed me, I'd pull him close and elbow him in the head.' And now the nation has adopted that spirit. It features in a video campaign with new Prime Minister Mark Carney and actual national treasure Mike Myers, whose shirt: reads: 'NEVER 51.' That's the mood now — polite defiance in plaid. It's a masterclass in soft power. The Scottish-English tension may have Brexit baggage, but this? This is a full-blown cold war of the niceties. Miley is the adult now THERE are things no one prepares you for in life: pandemics, the rise of Crocs, and your dad dating Liz Hurley. But here we are – Miley Cyrus, patron saint of post-trauma empowerment, has broken her silence on her da Billy Ray's new love interest. Not a line-dancing divorcee or a country starlet, but the one and only safety-pinned icon of the Nineties. Yes, that Liz Hurley. Now, if you thought family drama peaked with Meghan and Harry, hold Miley's gluten-free beer. The former Disney rebel has navigated her parents' split, gone no-contact with Dad, and now emerged with the kind of perspective that costs thousands in therapy. 'I'm being an adult about it,' she told the New York Times, as if she's not clearly the only adult in the room. Should we have opinions on our parents' love lives? Absolutely not. Do we? Always. Especially when their new flame once dated Hugh Grant and probably owns lingerie more expensive than most mortgages. But Miley's honesty hits a nerve. That moment you realise your parents are fallible, with achy breaky hearts and questionable taste in post- divorce rebounds. It's disarming, dignified – and depressingly mature. Still, if anyone can make blended family dysfunction look glam, it's Liz bloody Hurley. And if Miley can 'wish happiness' to the chaos, maybe there's hope for the rest of us. Next year construction is due to finish on the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, named after the elbow-throwing icon. But this isn't just infrastructure — it's metaphor. A physical link between two nations increasingly trying to figure out how to stay connected without being consumed. The old Auld Enemy rivalry will always be part of our DNA — but if you're looking for the next great national drama, look to the US and Canada. It's neighbour vs neighbour, lumber vs logic, satire vs statecraft and Mike Myres vs Trump.


Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Spads being offered six-figure salaries as cost of advisers soars
Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie blasts "sleekit attempt" to sneak figures out during a by-election BILL CLAIM Spads being offered six-figure salaries as cost of advisers soars Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SNP chiefs were accused of making a 'sleekit' bid to use the Holyrood by-election as cover to sneak out the soaring costs of their special advisers. Figures published by the Nats Government reveal that 17 Spads - political appointees hired to support ministers - were in post as of May 7 this year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party Jackie Baillie at the count for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election Of those, one was earning a salary between £108,781 and £116,435, while seven were in a pay band of between £84,983 and £97,644, while a further nine Spads were earning between £71,393 and £78,719. The total cost of special advisers employed during the financial year for 2024-2025 was a whopping £1.7million. A request for the information was submitted by a backbench SNP MSP on the day of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on June 5, with a response provided by minister Jamie Hepburn the following day. The move has prompted accusations from political rivals of using the by-election as an opportunity to 'sneak' out the figures while journalists focused on coverage of the vote. Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: 'Scots are sick of footing the bill for an SNP government that is failing to deliver. 'This sleekit attempt to sneak these figures out during a by-election won't hide the fact the SNP cannot be trusted with taxpayers' money.' And Scottish Tory shadow finance secretary Craig Hoy added: 'The SNP have wasted a shameful amount of taxpayers' money on their army of spin doctors. 'You'd be forgiven for thinking John Swinney snuck out these bombshell figures on a day when people's minds were elsewhere.' The number of Spads fell to 17 over the past year, with 19 having been in post prior to May 7 this year - three of whom were earning salaries of over £108,781. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Due to the appointment of a new First Minister in May 2024, there were several changes to the special adviser team. The number and total cost of special advisers reduced in comparison to the previous year.' Scottish Labour's shock win in Hamilton stuns establishment as SNP face 'false' campaign blast But, Scottish Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie MSP hit out: 'The SNP are investing more effort in making excuses for their failures in government.'


Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
John Swinney in the firing line after allowing education secretary to swerve parliamentary duties DESPITE school crisis
Ministers have faced increased scrutiny over their response to soaring levels of violence in schools NO SHOW John Swinney in the firing line after allowing education secretary to swerve parliamentary duties DESPITE school crisis JOHN Swinney let Jenny Gilruth dodge a grilling on school violence. We can reveal the First Minister signed off the SNP Education Secretary's absence two months before the Holyrood Q&A on the classroom crisis. Advertisement 3 Jenny Gilruth was out campaigning for the SNP 3 First Minister John Swinney MSP at the Scottish Parliament It was scheduled on the same day a 12-year-girl was rushed to hospital after an alleged stabbing at a school in Aberdeen. Ms Gilruth instead posed for a selfie while campaigning in her Mid-Fife and Glenrothes seat. Emails showed parliamentary business minister Jamie Hepburn was also involved her free pass on April 24. Colleague Graeme Dey instead stepped in. Advertisement It was the first education questions for five weeks as MSPs returned from their Easter holidays. Ministers have faced increased scrutiny over their response to soaring levels of violence in schools. There are also concerns about an ongoing funding crisis at top Scottish universities. Last night Tory education spokesman Miles Briggs claimed ministers would 'do anything to avoid being held to account.' Advertisement He added: 'It's scandalous that even John Swinney was in on this, turning a blind eye to his education secretary missing important parliamentary questions to campaign.' A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'Diary commitments meant the Education Secretary was unable to attend portfolio questions. Jenny Gilruth accused of 'playing truant' after her parliament no-show "In line with rules, the Higher Education Minister answered questions.' 3 John Swinney and Jenny Gilruth