Visit Scotland | Alba
Article published 18/04/2023

First Minister statement

First Minister Humza Yousaf has published a new policy prospectus, setting out how the government will deliver for Scotland over the next three years.

In his first major statement to Parliament, the First Minister said three missions, centred on the themes of equality, opportunity, and community, will be central to his government.

Announcing he will seek to reach agreement on a "New Deal for Scottish Business", the statement revealed:

  • the launch of Deposit Return Scheme will be set for March next year
  • proposals on alcohol advertising will go “back to the drawing board”
  • the Scottish Government will look at ways to use Business Rates to boost business and further support communities

“New Leadership – A Fresh Start”

Titled “New leadership – A fresh start”, the prospectus details the key aims the government intends to achieve in each cabinet portfolio, working with the Scottish Green Party to build on the success of the Bute House Agreement.

Actions set out by the First Minister and the prospectus document to tackle poverty, build a fairer, greener and growing economy, and improve public services by 2026 include:

  • a "New Deal for Scottish Business" will be sought, with urgent discussion to agree how government can better support businesses and communities using policy levers such as Non-Domestic Rates
  • an extension of the Deposit Return Scheme launch date to March 2024, from August this year
  • an explicit commitment to support economic growth for a purpose – to help business and trade to thrive and maximise the opportunity for a fair, green economy
  • confirmation of a six-month pilot removing peak-time fares from ScotRail services from October to make rail travel more accessible, available and affordable
  • the delivery of six new vessels to serve Scotland’s ferry network and a doubling of the charge point network for electric vehicles to at least 6,000
  • seeking a new agreement with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to support the delivery of shared priorities, and legislation to give councils powers to apply a Local Visitor Levy on overnight stays in commercially let accommodation as additional means to raise revenue

Further information

Read the First Minister’s speech on the Scottish Government website.

Read the full Scottish Government press release.

The prospectus does not replace the Programme for Government 2023-24, which will be set out to parliament with planned legislation after the summer recess.

This will be followed by the annual budget process, which will detail the Scottish Government’s strategic objectives for the coming financial year.

Read the prospectus: Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership - A fresh start.

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