Overview: Technology seemingly key for the success of the new Programme for Government

The Programme for Government was released yesterday, with reducing poverty, delivering economic growth, tackling climate change and providing high-quality public services as the focal points for the year ahead.

Described as measures towards a “fairer, wealthier and greener Scotland”, according to First Minister Humza Yousaf, the document places data and technology as a driving force for many of its policies.

Partnerships, financial investment and expertise support seem to be the key areas which will allow the programme to take “the critical next steps in reforming and modernising public services”.

A new digital service for the childcare system strives to help parent and carers access and pay for childcare that best suits their needs.

With help from local government, the document commits to publishing a framework for digital service transformation focusing on end-to-end services and strengthening digital identity, payment and cloud services.

An investment of over £600m in the Reaching 100% Broadband programme and plans to launch the seventh 5G innovation hub aim to ensure every home and business has access to super-fast broadband, and support firms with adapting to “cutting edge” technology. Similarly, by progressing its Rural Delivery Plan, the government hopes to continue expanding digital connectivity for remote communities.

Regarding climate change and the 2045 net zero target, government will partner with relevant stakeholders to “accelerate decarbonisation and create energy transition opportunities” at industrial sites. This will be backed by funding streams including the Emerging Energy Technologies Fund, which will award up to £100m to support hydrogen projects until 2026. Other focal points are offshore wind investment and making its consenting processes more efficient.

On the international stage, the programme outlines a drive to continue working with the trade agency Scottish Development International and keep building the country’s reputation as a technology investment hub, helping to achieve goals like becoming Europe's leading space nation by 2030. Other policies include implementing the sector export plans for life sciences and technology, and developing such a plan for hydrogen. These plans explore the support needed to maximise each sector’s export potential by conglomerating cross-industry expertise.

As outlined in a recent letter from the First Minister to the Prime Minister, the government looks to cut corporation tax so industries have enough capital to spend on innovative areas, including big data and AI. This promise could become central in re-building business trust in government, after recent findings revealed nine in ten firms feel the Scottish government doesn’t understand business.

In education, the programme says the government will place Scottish universities at “the heart of our economic future”, with a plan to augment their support for entrepreneurship opportunities and ensure the Techscaler network - a start and scale-up technology businesses programme by the Scottish government - offers high-quality education programmes.

Digitisation of the health system looks to improve patient care and support the struggling NHS workforce. Measures include a £1.8m investment in a new national digital dermatology programme which speeds up treatment.

Other relevant mentions of technology in the programme include remaining an international leader in sustainable fisheries management by legislating a requirement for remote electronic monitoring on board all pelagic and scallop dredge vessels fishing in Scottish waters, facilitating the expansion of the virtual school headteacher, the application of data and digital technologies through the cluster development programme, and simplifying access to innovation funding.