Nicola Sturgeon to set out programme for government

credit - David N Anderson Photography

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will today set out her programme for government with education at its heart.

Sturgeon's SNP formed a minority government after winning 63 seats in May's Scottish Parliament elections.

She will make a speech outlining her priorities for the next five years, with education, healthcare and new welfare powers high on the agenda.

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Opposition parties will also get a chance to set out their priorities for the coming term over a two-day debate.

The Scottish Conservatives called on the government to make warm homes a priority, along with a "focus on the day job" rather than the issue of Scottish independence.

Scottish Labour has already laid out an "alternative programme for government", calling for a focus on public services.

Sturgeon has previously asked to be judged on her record on education over the new parliamentary term.

The First Minister revealed that 29 new schools will be completed this school year as part of her government's £1.8bn building programme.

She has moved her deputy John Swinney into the role of education secretary, with the target of narrowing the "attainment gap" between pupils from affluent and deprived backgrounds.

Sturgeon said: "Education is at the heart of our plans, and I am committed to doing all I can to improve the life chances of every child and young person. Ensuring children are able to learn in new, modern, fit for purpose surroundings is a crucial part of this.

"By the end of this parliament we will have delivered 112 new or refurbished schools across every local authority in Scotland - more than double the number envisaged when the Schools for the Future programme started."

In May's Holyrood elections, the SNP also stood on a platform of boosting NHS budgets and childcare provision, extending payment of the living wage, cutting Air Passenger Duty and delivering superfast broadband right across Scotland.

The party also pledged to introduce a warm homes bill, which has been backed by the Tories. and protect police budgets.

The First Minster is also expected to make reference to Scotland's place in Europe, with her government examining its options following the UK's vote to leave the EU.

Her spokesman said that the programme for government would be about domestic issues, but that Europe would be a "common theme running through everything we do" going forward.

Sturgeon has already ordered ministers to start drawing up legislation for a second independence referendum, which she said is "highly likely" - although not inevitable - following the Brexit vote.