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Scottish Government marks year of achievements
28/06/2012
The First Minister has today presented an end-of-term update to MSPs, highlighting progress across government in the last year.
Speaking as Parliament met for the last time this year, Alex Salmond noted a number of milestones across health, housing, public safety and jobs:
- 71% of people trust the Scottish Government to act in Scotland’s best interests compared to just 18% who trust the UK Government
- Police numbers reaching 17,436 – the highest ever level and recorded crime at its lowest level since 1975
- Latest labour market statistics from February-April this year showing employment rising and unemployment falling
- Scotland’s share of foreign direct investment in the UK economy at its highest level since records began
- Almost 7,000 new affordable homes built – 6,882 against a target of 6,000
- More new council houses than at any time in twenty years
- NHS waiting times and hospital infections both at record lows
- Record level of PE delivered across Scotland’s schools
The First Minister said:
“In just one year of governing as a majority administration, there has been substantial progress across a range of policy areas - in economic recovery, in making our country safer and in providing the best public services.
“Recorded crime is at its lowest level in more than 30 years and police numbers are at their highest ever. Scotland has rising employment and is the top UK destination for foreign direct investment and we’ve exceeded our target to build more new affordable homes.
“Meanwhile, in our health service waiting times are at record lows, with 93.6 per cent of people waiting less than nine weeks for hospital treatment and C diff. down by over 80 per cent over the last five years.
“And just this week, the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey showed 71 per cent of people trust the Scottish Government to act in this country’s best interests – significantly higher than their faith in the Westminster administration.
“This is of course thanks in large part to tens of thousands of people who have put in time, effort and money towards making Scotland a better place to live and work.
“This is encouraging progress for the first year of governing as a majority administration but we know there is far more to do. The Scottish Government will continue to work hard day in, day out to create more jobs and make this a healthier, wealthier and fairer country for us all.
“This Scottish Government has a track record of competence, and will continue to make progress for the people of Scotland. Judge us on our record and we will not be found wanting.”