This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Executive reports on achievements
16/12/2002
A report assessing the Executive's progress towards its
targets was puiblished today, giving the people in Scotland
the opportunity to see for themselves what the Executive
has achieved in its first term.
Recording Our Achievements, an open and factual account of how the Executive
is measuring up against its published targets, shows that
92 per cent of targets are on track or have been met.
First Minister Jack McConnell said: "This is a good
report card by any standards and one I am proud to share
with people in Scotland.
"The achievements underline that devolution has made a
difference in Scotland, including:
- a new National Waiting Times Unit
- more doctors and nurses in the NHS
- 100 new or refurbished schools
- nursery places for all three and four year
olds
- record numbers of police officers
- significant investment in public transport in rural
areas
- new ferries, airport terminals and the first new
railway since 1993
- a three per cent increase in the number of people
employed since 1999.
"After just three and a half years, devolution is
starting to deliver.
"Where targets have not been achieved, we have been
honest. In some cases, the underlying aim has been met in
other ways.
"While some setbacks are disappointing, the process of
devolution is still in its infancy, and it is important to
celebrate the many genuine achievements, and build on those
successes.
"Our emphasis has rightly been on five priority areas -
health, education, transport, crime and jobs - which affect
everyone in Scotland, no matter who they are or where they
live. Our plans now focus on improving economic growth and
opportunities for all. Setting further targets and
reporting against progress will be key to delivering
further success."
Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace added: "The new
political and constitutional era brought about by
devolution means that the Executive is quite rightly more
open and more accountable to the people of Scotland for
what it does.
"Setting out clear objectives in the
Programme for Government documents was an important first step, providing
a clear framework for our work - and, crucially, offering
for the first time a clear view of how the Executive is
delivering on its commitments.
"Across both Programme for Government documents, we set
out 327 commitments covering a range of priority issues. In
addition, a total of 36 Executive Acts have been passed by
the Scottish Parliament and 12 Bills are currently being
considered - a fraction of that would have been achieved
before devolution.
"
Recording Our Achievements underlines that we are making real progress on the
pledges we made to the people of Scotland."
The Scottish Executive today published
Recording Our Achievements, which highlights progress against
Programme for Government targets. It
shows:
- 75 per cent of targets are achieved or
ongoing;
- 17 per cent of targets are on track;
- Five per cent of targets are delayed; and
- Three per cent of targets may not be achieved.
The Programme for Government process - and this report
on it - has been a key part of Devolution. The Executive
has published its objectives, reported on its progress
against them and been honest when it has not achieved them.
This has given the people of Scotland a chance to judge for
themselves how the Executive has performed.
Recording Our Achievements and a summary
document are available on-line at
www.scotland.gov.uk