The NHS will deliver 100,000 additional GP appointments and
Scotland will have a ‘best in UK' cost-of-living guarantee,
including the permanent abolition of peak rail fares, First
Minister announced as he set out a
Programme for Government against a backdrop of global economic
challenges.
Speaking one year since he was elected First Minister and one
year before the end of this Parliament, Mr Swinney committed to a
package of cost-of-living initiatives for households and
businesses and a new Six Point Export Plan to unlock target
markets. He set out plans to strengthen the NHS with the delivery
of extra GP appointments for key health risks such as high blood
pressure, and 150,000 more NHS appointments and procedures,
including a 50% increase in surgical procedures such as hip and
knee replacements.
Key announcements include:
- 100,000 enhanced service GP appointments by March 2026 for
key risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol,
high blood sugar, obesity and smoking as well as more than
150,000 extra appointments and procedures, including surgeries
and diagnostic tests, and target cancer pathways to tackle
backlogs against the 62-day referral to treatment standard
- The cost-of-living guarantee which includes ongoing free
prescriptions, eye exams, bus travel for 2.3 million people, free
tuition for students and more than £6,000 in early learning and
childcare support for each eligible child
- ScotRail peak rail fares abolished and the general
alcohol ban on ScotRail trains removed and replaced with time and
location restrictions
- Winter fuel payments for pensioners restored
- A new Six Point Export Plan, with a focus on actions to
unlock target markets, and showcase Scotland to global
buyers
- A national regeneration fund that will support at least 26
projects to renew and restore communities, with a focus on
delivering more local jobs
- More rights and stronger protections for tenants, helping
deliver more than 8,000 affordable homes, including for social
and mid-market rent, and removing barriers on stalled building
sites with the potential to deliver up to 20,000 new homes
The First Minister said:
“This Programme for Government is focused on providing the
best cost-of-living support across the UK, as well as delivering
a renewed and stronger NHS.
“When I became First Minister a year ago, I heard loud and
clear people's concerns about the NHS which is why I am taking
serious action to ensure the NHS meets the needs of the
public.
“This PfG also shows decisive action to protect Scotland's
economy and maximise our economic potential in the face of global
challenges.
“It is being published earlier than usual, in part because
it allows a clear year of delivery on the NHS and other public
services, but also due to the scale of the looming economic
challenge.
“It is a programme for a better Scotland, for a stronger
NHS and a more resilient and wealthier Scotland. It is a
Programme for Government that gets our nation on track for
success.”
Background
Read the Programme for
Government 2025-26
Read the First Minister's
statement to the Scottish Parliament, 6 May 2025
The First Minister also confirmed Scottish Government plans to
introduce six Bills over the course of the 2025-26 parliamentary
year – alongside 2 Bills due to be introduced before summer
recess and 14 Bills already before the Scottish Parliament –
including:
Bills for introduction:
- Budget (No. 5)
- Children and Young People (Care)
- Contract (Formation and Remedies)
- Digital Assets
- Heat in Buildings
- Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Bills from Year 4 programme which will be introduced before
summer recess:
- Building Safety Levy
- Crofting and Scottish Land Court
Scottish Government Bills currently proceeding through
Parliament:
- Care Reform
- Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment
of UNCRC Compatibility Duty)
- Community Wealth Building
- Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour
Reviews
- Education
- Housing
- Land Reform
- Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.)
- Natural Environment
- Regulation of Legal Services
- Scottish Languages
- Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance)
- UEFA European Championship
- Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform
