SNP and opposition clash over 100 day plan delivery

The SNP and opposition have clashed over when the administration’s first 100 days in government are up.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives say today is the key date as it marks 100 days since the last election. However, a spokesman for John Swinney says it’s not until August 25, 100 days after Nicola Sturgeon was formally voted in as First Minister by MSPs. 

The date matters as during the later stages of the election campaign the SNP published their ‘First Steps’ plan which detailed what they’d do at the start of their fourth term in office. 

The commitments included publishing a recovery plan for the NHS, launching programmes to tackle youth unemployment, a cross-party steering group on COVID recovery and a standing committee on pandemics, with scientists and doctors advising on future risks.

In the foreword, Nicola Sturgeon wrote: “This is far from everything that we will do in these first 100 days – our manifesto is full of progressive policies and, of course, COVID has reminded everyone that unexpected events will always require a quick response from the Government.

“But the number one priority for the SNP will continue to be keeping Scotland safe.”

Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the First Minister had failed to deliver: “The SNP promised to focus on recovery, but there’s no sign they’ve even started yet.

“Their time in government has been defined by delays, broken promises, and a gulf between their spin and their action – and it seems we can expect more of the same this term.

“In the final days of the campaign they put forward a weak imitation of Scottish Labour’s message, vowing to work in the national interest – but in just 100 days they have broken promises on everything from tackling COVID to rebuilding our NHS to delivering green jobs.”

He added: "The failure to set up a public inquiry into COVID-19 is a particularly shocking dereliction of duty."

“As each day passes, their arrogance grows and they continue to lose touch with communities across Scotland as they abandon the pledges they were elected on just months ago.”

Meanwhile, LibDems health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton hit out at Humza Yousaf for failing to bring forward a recovery plan.

He said: “NHS patients and staff will be unsurprised that a government that has consistently failed to hit targets for mental health care, cancer treatment and A&E performance has also missed its target to deliver an NHS recovery plan in their first 100 days.

“With this promise now consigned to the dust, the Health Secretary should call a press conference and use it to apologise to all of the NHS staff who have been let down.”

Scottish Conservative chief whip, Stephen Kerr, added: “Nicola Sturgeon and her ministers promised to make COVID recovery their priority, but they have taken their eye off the ball once again. We know they have already put a push for a divisive indyref2 at the top of their conference agenda.

“Championing independence once again is a dereliction of duty from the SNP Government as Scotland aims to accelerate its recovery from the pandemic.

“No matter how they try and spin it this is another series of SNP broken promises that are letting people down all over again.”

A spokesperson for John Swinney said: “The opposition attacks are ridiculous. We have always been clear that our plans were to be implemented 100 days from forming the new government – not from the date of the election, which would be nonsensical, given that at that time there were not even MSPs to vote in the new government to carry out its programme. 

“The SNP was returned office because people across Scotland know they can depend on this government to deliver, in contrast to the constant carping from Labour, the Tories and Lib Dems. 

"We are immensely proud of what we are delivering, including a pay rise for our hard-working NHS staff, the abolition of dental charges for 18-25 year olds, and completing the transformational expansion of free childcare across Scotland. 

“We are continuing to work to our timetable to implement the remaining commitments, including the NHS recovery plan.”