Nicola Sturgeon to set out programme for government

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will lay out her plans for the next year of government later today as MSPs return from the summer recess.

Sturgeon said education would be "central" to her programme for government.

This will include legislation on the government's reforms to school governance.

Speaking ahead of the publication, the First Minister said: “Improving the education and life chances of our children and young people remains a defining mission of this Government.

“In the year ahead, this government will take steps to give children the best start in life.

"From Baby Box to the expansion of free high quality early learning and childcare, and from our work to tackle child poverty to school reforms that give more power to teachers, this government will build on our record of achievements in the year ahead."

The plans are also thought to include a lifting of the public sector pay cap, something also being considered by the UK Government.

In total, 16 new bills for parliament to consider are expected to be introduced.

Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Liz Smith said voters had "heard it all before" from the SNP over education, urging "radical, prompt reform".

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "Nicola Sturgeon should admit that she has a presided over a decade of educational decline and commit to a transformative investment in Scottish education."

Scottish Labour, the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Liberal Democrats called for the SNP to use the Scottish Parliament's new powers to raise taxes.

Scottish Labour interim leader Alex Rowley said: “We are thankful that the SNP bowed to Labour pressure on lifting the public sector pay cap. Now, it must adopt our whole radical agenda.

“And if it doesn’t, and chooses to follow the path of cuts and privatisation, then we will put our ideas to the vote in Parliament. The SNP can then choose to vote for austerity with the Tories, or vote for a fairer Scotland that works for the many, not the few, with Labour.”