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