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Plans for 'moving Scotland forward'
14/05/2008
The swift delivery of clear and effective policies has sustained the sense of optimism and achievement seen in Scotland over the past year, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.
Delivering a Statement to Parliament, to mark the Scottish Government's first year in office, the First Minister outlined progress over the first year, and said that the Scottish Government would bring forward a legislative programme in early September, and continued the fast pace of policy delivery by announcing:
- A Scottish University for Sporting Excellence to support elite sportsmen and women, to be based at the University of Stirling
- An annual £2 million Saltire Innovation Fund to stimulate innovation in Scotland's businesses, universities and colleges
- Plans to launch a new and ambitious framework for public accountability, 'Scotland Performs'
- A new pilot scheme by the Scottish Government to substantially increase the information available to the public
Read the full text of the First Minister's speech
The First Minister also used his statement to record the progress the Scottish Government has made towards its objectives of building a Scotland that is wealthier and fairer, smarter, healthier, safer and stronger, and greener.
Key achievements in the first year included: cutting business rates to boost the economy and create jobs, freezing council tax, removing bridge tolls, abolishing the Graduate Endowment Fee and restoring free education in Scotland, preserving accident and emergency units, cutting prescription charges in the first phase of abolition, recruiting 150 more police in the first stage of recruiting 1,000 additional officers, and launching the world's largest innovation prize for marine energy.
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
"One year ago the people of Scotland put their trust in us because we responded to the new ambition and confidence growing across our country. And that optimism - that new sense of the possible - has been our guiding force in government.
"In our first year the Scottish Government has invigorated Scottish democracy and strengthened our public services. At times we have faced unforeseen challenges - the Grangemouth industrial action last month, the Glasgow airport attack, and the serious implications for rural Scotland of the Foot and Mouth outbreak south of the Border. At these times the government and the public stayed focused and worked together, and worked with the UK Government - proving that Scotland can rise to any challenge.
"My message today is clear - one year on and the Scottish Government is continuing to repay the trust of the people of Scotland. We will maintain the pace of delivery and sustain the new confidence and ambition in our country.
"We will create a Scottish University for Sporting Excellence to support elite sportsmen and women, based at the University of Stirling. We will deliver an annual £2 million Saltire Innovation Fund to stimulate innovation in Scotland businesses, universities and colleges. We will launch a new and ambitious framework for public accountability, Scotland Performs. And we will introduce a new pilot scheme to substantially increase the information available to the public.
"And we will move forward with the National Conversation in preparation for the referendum planned in 2010.
"The National Conversation is proving a huge success. This government is determined to broaden and deepen that constitutional debate, so that the people of Scotland can consider our future based on the best and fullest information. This debate is integral to the long-term interests of the country and improving the lives of our people.
"I look forward to continuing to deliver for Scotland - building on the natural and competitive advantages our nation is blessed with, and for which we are ready to take greater responsibility."
The Scottish Funding Council will allocate £600,000 to place the University of Stirling - a leading institution for sports provision - at the centre of a network providing training and support for elite athletes as they make their way through college or university. This initiative will provide more flexible programmes to support student athletes in both their academic and sporting activities. Other universities and colleges keen to develop their ability to support elite athletes will be invited to join the network of sports-intensive universities and colleges.
Following announcement last month of the £10 million Saltire Prize, the Scottish Government has decided to direct the annual £2 million Saltire Innovation Fund to Scotland's key sectors of comparative advantage - stimulating innovation amongst our businesses, universities and colleges. Full details of the Saltire Innovation Fund will be published later this year.
The Scottish Government has made clear its commitment to ensuring as much information as possible is available to the public without it having to be asked for. As a step towards meeting that commitment the Scottish Government will begin a pilot scheme within its Environment portfolio to substantially increase public access to information.
Scotland Performs will provide an at-a-glance snapshot of how Scottish public services are doing against targets and indicators set out in the 2007-10 Spending Review. The web-based report card to be launched on May 27 will be developed over time as more information becomes available.