John Swinney defends NHS efforts as Anas Sarwar points to failed plans

John Swinney has been forced to defend his government's record on health, after he set out of a fresh plan for the NHS this week.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, raising the issue at First Minister's Questions, said there had been "five NHS recovery plans in four years" and cited failures in meeting targets within those plans. 

And Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said the latest plan contained “no explanation of how any of it will be achieved”.

But Swinney pointed to record investment in the health service in the 2025-26 budget – now set to pass following an agreement with the Greens, Lib Dems and Alba – and denied NHS performance was worsening, highlighting recent A&E waiting time improvements.

On Monday, the first minister delivered a speech in Edinburgh in which he acknowledged "too many parts" of the NHS were facing crisis.

He committed to action to reduce immediate pressures, shift the balance from acute to community care, and use digital and technological tools to improve access.

Sarwar accused the first minister of promising “jam tomorrow” on the NHS.

He said: “After 18 years, it’s not another failed SNP first minister, not another failed SNP health secretary, not another failed SNP plan that Scotland needs. It’s a new government and a new direction.”

Swinney accused Sarwar of being “high on rhetoric and low on delivery”, saying Labour was not offering a “single solution” to the issues.

He added: “We’re not promising jam tomorrow; we are promising the largest budget settlement for the National Health Service in a few weeks’ time.”

Findlay said the first minister had re-announced old commitments, claiming it was a “clear case of government by press release”.

He pressed for timescales for the planned NHS app and new national treatment centres.

Swinney said he had set out “practical steps” on improving the NHS, including increasing GP capacity, enhancing the Pharmacy First service and expanding the network of national treatment centres.

He dubbed Tory tax plans as “stupidity on stilts”, claiming this would take money away from frontline services.