First Minister Alex Salmond
Moving Scotland Forward
Scottish Parliament
May 14, 2008
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Introduction
Presiding Officer, when I informed this Chamber that I would make a statement to review the Scottish Government's programme and our plans for moving Scotland forward, I did not know that the UK Government would choose to publish its draft legislative programme on the same day.
However it is likely that both of these statements will be eclipsed by events in Manchester this evening.
So let me convey the very best wishes of this Chamber to Walter Smith and his team for their UEFA Cup Final match.
Presiding Officer, this coming Friday marks one year since this Parliament voted to appoint this SNP Government and its Ministers. That was a significant day, not just for the SNP but much more importantly for this Parliament, and for Scotland.
It marked the election of the first minority Government in our nation's history - and brought with it a fresh approach to politics and to government.
So let us reflect on that remarkable cultural change and its impact on parliamentary business.
This last year has ended the misconception that a minority government and a parliament of minorities represents a position of weakness.
As we see from Westminster at the moment, a government can have a substantial majority and still be forced into dramatic concessions.
And as we see in Scotland, a government can have a minority and still move quickly to implement its programme and ideas.
But of course minority government does present opportunities for opposition parties with a positive agenda.
As I said on entering government, both the Scottish national interest and the parliamentary arithmetic require us to advance our programme policy by policy, and based on the strength of our arguments - not strength of numbers.
Most parts of this Chamber have been able to advance their priorities where they have put forward a strong case.
Even the main opposition party finds itself in a position where its policy pronouncements are subject to greater scrutiny.
That position may not always be enjoyable - at least for the Labour Party - but it clearly shows that this balanced Parliament is an effective parliament.
These changes in our political culture show us that a minority government in Scotland can be strong - and that the Scottish Parliament is also strong.
These changes have enshrined consideration and reflection at the heart of Government.
These changes embody Scotland's sense of renewed purpose and heightened ambition.
And these changes ensure that this national Parliament governs in the national interest. Together, we have changed the mood and the tone of Scottish politics and changed it for good.
The record of this Government's first year in office
Presiding Officer, let me outline the tangible achievements from our first year of Government.
We have taken important steps towards our purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth.
Proposing a new economic strategy, with clear targets to measure our national success.
Setting out our spending plans for the course of this Parliament, with new investments firmly linked to our economic strategy.
Let us recall some specific measures to boost sustainable economic growth in Scotland.
We are cutting or abolishing business rates for 150,000 small business premises across Scotland.
This Government has removed tolls on the Forth and Tay Road Bridges.
We are strengthening Scotland's comparative advantage - opening a new institute for the life sciences in Dundee and investing in Scotland's vast potential in renewable energy.
And we are improving our transport and planning systems to provide a world class business environment. It is precisely because we are in tough economic times that this clarity of purpose is valuable and necessary.
Our strategic objective is to build a Scotland that is wealthier and fairer.
At a time when fuel and food prices are rising and the UK Government has been threatening to increase the tax bill for half a million of Scotland's lowest earning households, we are doing everything we can for Scottish families.
That is why - through our historic concordat with local government - we have provided new funding to freeze the unfair Council Tax.
That is why we are working to move to a fairer local tax based on people's ability to pay.
That is why we have cut prescription charges - and will abolish them one year ahead of our manifesto commitment. It is precisely because total costs are increasing so much for working families that help from Scotland's Government is so valuable.
Presiding Officer, let me outline progress on our other strategic objectives.
This Government has made important steps to build a smarter Scotland.
We have launched a new Early Years framework to ensure that our children have the best possible start in life.
We are working closely with local government to reduce class sizes for Primary 1 to 3.
We have launched a new skills strategy. And despite the tightest spending settlement since devolution, we are providing record funding for our universities and colleges.
It is precisely because we must do everything to encourage participation in higher and further education that the Scottish Government has abolished the Graduate Endowment Fee and restored the historic principle of free education in this country.
For a healthier Scotland, we have made significant choices - notably reversing not just the threatened closure of A&E services in Ayr and Monklands, but retaining and enhancing children's cancer services in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee.
I know that many in this Chamber - on this, the 60th anniversary of the National Health Service - will welcome this Government's decision to proceed with the new Southern General Hospital in Glasgow - the biggest hospital development in Scotland's history, and one funded entirely by public investment.
Presiding Officer, to promote a safer and stronger Scotland we are increasing police presence on our streets, with 150 additional officers recruited in our first year.
We have launched the 'Cashback for Communities' scheme, which will seize the proceeds of crime and put them to a positive use.
For our prisons, we know that simply trying to build your way out of overcrowding will not work. So while one of our first actions was to invest in two new publicly run prisons at Bishopbriggs and in the Peterhead area - the Government is also looking to the McLeish Commission for valuable advice on possible alternatives to custody.
For a greener Scotland, support for renewable energy is the cornerstone of our climate change policy.
We are committed to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050 - the most ambitious target of any country in the world.
We have launched public consultations on the forthcoming Climate Change Bill and on flood risk management.
And through the Greener Scotland campaign we are working hard to encourage our people to embrace sustainable lifestyles.
Presiding Officer, these are the steps we are taking to deliver our programme in government.
But as we are all aware, governments and people must respond to immediate and unforeseen challenges.
So we should remember the courageous response of our people and our emergency services to the attacks on Glasgow Airport.
We should welcome by the resolve of Scotland's people and businesses in the face of the recent disruption at Grangemouth refinery.
And we should remember that it was this government which stood up for Scotland's farming communities during the Foot and Mouth outbreak.
On each occasion the Scottish Government has shown itself ready to cooperate with Westminster to meet the challenges we face.
Moving Scotland Forward
Presiding Officer, last year I said that we had as our guiding star the long-term Scottish national interest. That will continue to be our priority as we move the country forward.
We will deliver on our legislative programme and the undertakings that we have made to the people of Scotland.
We will take forward our manifesto and resist short-cuts or expedient offers that to run contrary to it.
Presiding Officer, government is not just about legislation - or a constant blizzard of initiatives and announcements. It is about a positive tone and approach.
At the heart of this Government's approach is the new relationship with Scotland's local authorities - based around Single Outcome Agreements that enshrine mutual respect and parity of esteem.
Before the presentation of next year's legislative programme in September, let me outline key themes for the future.
Ambition, innovation and openness - themes that reflect the approach of this government thus far, over the coming year and beyond.
Presiding Officer, this Government's ambition for Scotland is fundamental to our approach. That is why we are taking forward a Climate Change Bill, which will put Scotland at the forefront of global efforts to tackle climate change.
And because we understand the positive and unifying role that sport can play in our society, we will make every effort to enhance sport in Scotland.
Hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games is a great honour for Scotland - and a recognition of our passion and our ambition. We will ensure that the Glasgow Games are the most successful Commonwealth Games ever.
And I am pleased to announce a new initiative to raise the potential of Scotland's best athletes and enhance our culture of sporting success.
With new support from the Scottish Funding Council, the University of Stirling will become Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.
And the University of Stirling will act as the hub of a national network of universities and colleges providing training and support for Scotland's best athletes.
Presiding Officer, this Government's ambition for Scotland is well known. For this country to take on full responsibility for our destiny - allowing our people, our economy and our society to flourish.
So I am delighted to confirm that this Government will press ahead with the National Conversation on Scotland's future. And thereafter with a Bill providing for a referendum on Scottish Independence in 2010, as we always planned.
And we look forward to the support of this Chamber when we submit our Referendum Bill in 2010.
Presiding Officer, to promote innovation in Scotland this Government has already cut taxes for Scotland's small firms, and we will continue to roll out the Small Business Bonus scheme.
And following our announcement last month of the £10 million Saltire Prize, I am delighted to inform the Chamber of our decision to direct the annual £2 million Saltire Innovation Fund to Scotland's key sectors of comparative advantage, stimulating innovation by our businesses, universities and colleges.
The academic strand of the Fund will take its lead from the outstanding success of the enterprise competition run by Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The business strand will support our economic strategy by encouraging innovation and knowledge transfer in key sectors.
Finally, Presiding Officer, let me turn to the subject of openness - in our Government, in our Parliament and in our public debate on the future of Scotland.
We already see what can be achieved by a Government and a Parliament that work openly and constructively together for the Scottish national interest.
And today I am pleased to inform this Chamber of new reforms to further enhance the openness and accountability of Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government will begin a pilot scheme in the environment portfolio which will substantially increase public access to information.
And later this month the Government will launch Scotland Performs.
This new framework for public accountability - based on the successful model in the American state of Virginia - will focus on the national purpose and outcomes that are the core of our National Performance Framework.
Government has an important role in delivering these national outcomes and in shaping a unified partnership with businesses, trade unions, local government, the third sector and our other civic institutions.
And by tracking our progress on key indicators - on the economy, in health, education, justice and the environment - with the best available information, this will allow our people to see at all times whether Scotland's social partnership is bringing real improvements to our quality of life - and to consider where we can do even more as a country.
Presiding Officer, that change is about reconnecting with the people. It is about putting the citizen first. It is about remembering that Government belongs not to the politicians but to the people.
Conclusion
A year ago, I pledged to work wholly and exclusively in the Scottish national interest.
That is what we have done - and that is what we will continue to do.