Nicola Sturgeon to outline 2018-19 Programme for Government

Nicola Sturgeon will today outline her 2018-19 Programme for Government, with the First Minister expected to press on with “major reforms” in health, education and justice.

Speaking ahead of the announcement this afternoon, the First Minister said: “we must not let Brexit define us, curtail our ambitions or halt Scotland's progress”, while pledging “the most ambitious long-term level of infrastructure spend that Scotland has ever seen”.

The PfG, which sets out ministers’ plans for the year, contains 12 new bills, with a focus expected on mental health, the environment and sustainable growth in the economy.

Sturgeon said: "Last year's programme for government set out bold and ambitious plans to tackle some of the big challenges of our time - getting our economy fit for the future, preparing for demographic change and tackling inequality.

"It spoke to the sort of Scotland we want to see - one that is innovative, welcoming, caring and productive.

"In this programme for government I am committing to the most ambitious long-term level of infrastructure spend that Scotland has ever seen - that is investment in schools, hospitals and transport, and in digital connectivity and clean energy.

"This programme for government continues the major reforms that are under way in our health, education and justice systems. And it builds on the progress we have made in tackling inequalities."

But the FM’s comments came under fire from Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw.

He said: “It sounds like Nicola Sturgeon has already begun blaming Brexit for all her SNP government’s inevitable failings, before it’s even happened.

“She knows fine well the nationalists’ record of delivery on warm-worded pledges is derisory. By getting these excuses in early, she’s already accepted her Programme for Government is pie-in-the-sky.

“And it won’t be Brexit that jeopardises investment and improvement in schools, hospitals and transport infrastructure. It will be her stubborn refusal to remove the threat of a second independence referendum.”

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: "The SNP is not standing up for Scotland when it cuts teacher numbers, oversees soaring waiting times and sits on its hands rather than tackle our housing crisis and broken economy.

"Labour will lead the fight for the real change the people of Scotland need and want, offering an end to cuts and austerity to ensure society and the economy work for the many, not the few."