First Minister Alex Salmond
Scottish Parliament
September 3, 2009
Programme for Scotland 2009-10
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Presiding Officer, it is with an enormous sense of pride that for a third time I will deliver the annual statement on the Scottish Government's Legislative Programme, as we strive towards a more successful Scotland.
Since taking office in 2007, we have sought to govern with pace, with energy, and at all times, in the interests of the people of Scotland.
We have done so. And we have made great strides since this time last year. Let me just offer a few of the highlights.
We promised an additional 1,000 police officers in our communities. In June we passed this milestone, with an increase of 1,044 since March 2007, and a record high of 17,278 police officers in Scotland.
We are helping 1,500 households to get on the housing ladder through our £60m shared equity scheme.
We put Scotland at the forefront of efforts to tackle climate change through our Climate Change Act.
We are making good our commitments to the Scottish people. Indeed, since the Parliament last met we have announced further support for apprenticeships, unveiled Scotland's first ever Zero Waste plan, and just this week set out planned investment of £23.5 million for our Commonwealth Games legacy plan.
Presiding Officer, the world has changed since 2007. Many of our citizens are feeling the impact of the global recession.
That impact will only be intensified by the cuts imposed by the Chancellor on the Scottish budget.
At the very moment when nations the world over are maximising their investment in infrastructure -
When a significant, and meaningful stimulus package is needed -
The Chancellor is cutting the Scottish budget.
Last term, we debated what the precise value of the cuts would be. We know now the exact extent of the Chancellor's cuts.
We kept on saying it would be £500m of cuts. The opposition kept on telling us earnestly it would not be. Well, I will concede - we know now it is not £500m of cuts, it is £496.7m of cuts!
Presiding Officer, the circumstances in which we operate may be more trying, but they have in no way diminished our determination or ambition for Scotland.
The Purpose of this Government has always been:
To focus Government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth
That remains our focus.
More than ever, now is the time to use the talents of our people and the many natural advantages we have.
Together, to seize every opportunity that comes our way.
Together, to seek innovative and constructive solutions to the challenges we face.
Together, Scotland's got what it takes to recover and once again to prosper.
Over the last year, we have implemented an Economic Recovery Plan designed to support 15,000 jobs.
We have outlined a £35 billion infrastructure investment programme over the next decade, with £3.8 billion being spent this year on transport projects, schools and hospitals.
We will complete more schools on average every week than the previous administration - taking the rate from 0.8 schools per week under the 8 years of the previous government to an anticipated 1.2 per week over this four year term.
We are accelerating £350 million of capital spending, supporting jobs and projects across Scotland. However, with the economy still facing challenges in the year ahead, it is clear to this administration that the UK Government should also bring forward capital spending into next year as well.
The wellbeing of our communities is key, and so we have acted to put more money into the pockets and purses of Scottish families -
The council tax has now been frozen for two years, tolls have been removed from the Forth and Tay Bridges, tens of thousands of extra school children are now receiving free school meals, and prescription charges are well on the way to being abolished.
In April, the Small Business Bonus Scheme was expanded, saving the average small business owner £1,400 - each year, and every year.
Across Scotland, we are taking decisive action to support our economy as we lay the foundations for future economic prosperity.
In life sciences, engineering and construction we are supporting new apprenticeships to ensure our nation has the right skills for the future.
And in the field of renewable energy, where there is perhaps the greatest opportunity, we are also acting with determination.
I had the privilege of performing the switch on of Europe's largest onshore windfarm at Whitelees in East Renfrewshire.
We launched the Saltire Prize, the world's largest prize for innovation in marine renewable energy, and recently opened the Scottish European Green Energy Centre, to ensure our nation is at the forefront of European green energy research.
The potential for Scotland in renewable energy is legion - and enough capacity to store our industrial carbon emissions for the next two centuries if that technology can be developed.
This is hugely significant as we strive to meet the targets laid out in Scotland's world-leading Climate Change Act,
It is also hugely significant for Scotland's economy, and can potentially support thousands of jobs.
We won the natural lottery once when we discovered North Sea Oil.
We have won it again with green energy - I am determined that this time, the winnings will not be squandered.
This Scottish Government will continue to work hard to ensure Scotland's future as a world leader in green energy technology and green energy production.
And that is why we will continue to make the case for Scotland to have the full economic and legislative levers we need to maximise our success in this and other fields.
Indeed - jobs, education and investment in the industries of the future - these are the issues which have arisen during National Conversation events over the summer in Dundee, Melrose, Stornoway, Aberdeen and Glasgow.
There is a strong appetite in Scotland to engage in the debate about our future.
I have no doubt that independence offers the best opportunity for Scottish success; no doubt that independence is the key if we are to take our nation to the next level
There are, of course, different visions for Scotland.
But what is clear is that there is agreement - things need to change.
And that is why the people of Scotland have engaged with the National Conversation.
More than 40 events have taken place the length and breadth of the country with more than 4,500 people taking part, alongside the tens of thousands who have been involved in the conversation online.
Presiding Officer, alongside the challenges posed by the economic downturn, the threat from the H1N1 influenza virus has also been - and remains - a key focus of the Government's actions.
Thanks to the sterling efforts of medical professionals, contingency planners and, indeed, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing - who made a full statement on this subject earlier this morning - Scotland has responded quickly and effectively to the threat.
However, the threat remains a real one, and work will continue to mitigate its impact as far as possible.
Economic recovery therefore is central to our programme for this coming year.
We are determined to support jobs and communities across Scotland in these tough economic times.
And key to our future economic success is the replacement Forth Crossing. We will introduce a Forth Crossing Bill to enable the construction of a new bridge to the west of the existing Forth Road Bridge.
The current bridge is showing signs of serious deterioration. If we do not act, there is the risk that restrictions on freight traffic would have to be introduced in the relatively near future.
This bridge is hugely important to the Scottish economy - it is one of the biggest single infrastructure investments that Scotland will ever commission.
It would make sense if, as a nation, we could borrow to spread the cost of building it over several years.
But, of course, that is not currently an option.
Without an alternative crossing, economic output could fall by around £1 billion, and we could see a loss of around 3,200 jobs.
That should be all that is required to concentrate minds here and elsewhere on the need for this Parliament to have effective borrowing powers.
I note that even the Calman Commission understood the nonsense of having to account for capital spending from current spending.
We will also introduce a Legal Services Bill.
The legal profession is a strong contributor to the Scottish economy, with an estimated turnover of over £1 billion per annum.
This Bill will remove outdated restrictions on the legal profession's business models, while protecting its core values.
It will encourage greater competition, and allow our leading law firms to compete effectively not just with English but also internationally.
It is not just Scottish industry and businesses which we want to assist, however.
We shall introduce a range of legislation to support individuals and families encountering financial difficulties.
Presiding Officer, social housing provides a secure and sustainable alternative to home ownership for 600,000 households in Scotland.
We will introduce a Housing Bill to safeguard that housing for future generations.
The Bill will end the right to buy for all new-supply social housing.
And there will be plenty of such stock coming on stream because we are putting record investment into social housing - £1.5 billion over the next three years.
This includes £644 million this year in our Affordable Housing Investment Programme.
Approvals have already been made to allow work to start this financial year on 1,343 council houses supported by the first tranche of £50 million, the first central Government funding to encourage local authorities to build new housing in 30 years.
This compares with just six council houses built during the four years of the last administration and, if I remember correctly all six were in Shetland. And that £50 million will support up to 3,000 jobs.
The Bill will also modernise regulation to improve value for tenants and taxpayers.
We will introduce a Debt and Family Homes Bill as well.
It is important to strike the right balance between the interests of debtors and creditors.
Those who lend money under reasonable terms expect to be repaid, and those providing services expect to be paid.
However, we must also ensure that people who become bankrupt are not made homeless unnecessarily.
Subject to the outcome of a thorough review and detailed consultation, the Bill will recognise our commitment to exempt the main dwelling house from land attachment.
A Debtor Protection Bill will increase protection for those facing repossession or bankruptcy.
It will require lenders to demonstrate that they have considered reasonable alternatives to repossession.
It will build on our existing actions to support homeowners, and extend protection for family homes. It will improve access to debt relief, so that all debtors can have access to bankruptcy for unmanageable debts.
Presiding Officer, we will introduce this year's Budget Bill, with the goal of ensuring sustainable economic growth.
This is a Parliament of minorities and in these difficult circumstances, there will be hard choices to be made.
We will - as ever - look to work constructively across the chamber to secure a budget in Scotland's best interests.
Over the last ten years, there have been a number of occasions when this Parliament has led the way with ground-breaking new approaches in health and social legislation.
In particular, we have made great strides in getting to grips with the health challenges facing Scotland.
But challenges remain.
Alcohol misuse costs Scotland £2.25 billion per year in extra services and lost productivity - £500 for every adult, or nearly one-tenth of Scotland's annual budget.
Up to 50% of men, and 30% of women regularly drink over more than the sensible drinking guidelines.
And alcohol-related mortality rates have doubled over the last 15 years.
Enough is enough. We will introduce a Bill to Tackle Alcohol Misuse. This Bill will introduce innovative measures to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm.
Our proposals will be based on best practice and international evidence such as that from the World Health Organisation and that is why the cornerstone of our approach will be to introduce a minimum pricing policy for alcohol.
However, minimum pricing will be only one of a range of measures to tackle alcohol misuse. What is required is real, lasting, social and cultural change.
We welcome the support we have received for these proposals - there is agreement that Scotland's relationship with alcohol needs to be rebalanced.
However we acknowledge that we need to work with others to build a consensus on the best way to move ahead.
We look forward to further constructive discussion with stakeholders, and with those from all sides of this chamber.
We will fulfil another commitment with the introduction of the Patients' Rights Bill.
This will reinforce patients' place at the centre of the NHS in Scotland.
A key part of the Bill will be a waiting time guarantee for in-patients and day cases. This means that around 600,000 patients will have a waiting time guarantee for the first time.
There are a number of existing patients' rights and entitlements, but these are not always widely understood or exercised by patients.
The Patients' Rights Bill will give clarity and openness, and will create a clear framework so that patients know what these rights - and responsibilities - are.
A Children's Hearings Bill will also be introduced.
We are committed to maintaining and supporting Children's Panels made up of local people, best placed to make decisions for children in their community.
There are clearly strong views on this subject - we all want what is best for our nation's children. We will listen to those views.
The reforms in the Bill will ensure that the Children's Hearings system continues to be the best way of providing support and assistance to our most vulnerable children and families in Scotland.
And so, it will introduce support for Panel members to drive up standards across Scotland and improve children's rights.
Presiding Officer, we will introduce legislation to protect our unique environment and our heritage.
The Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill will ensure efficient, effective and proportionate legislation supports sustainable economic activity and the high quality of our natural environment.
It will include changes to the legislation which underpins deer management, game law, invasive non-native species, species licensing, snaring and muirburn - the controlled burning of moors.
Scotland's natural environment is, of course, important in itself. It is also economically important - indeed, it is worth around £17 billion to the Scottish economy.
It is vital that we do all we can to protect and enhance it, and to ensure that our wildlife and natural environment legislation is capable of delivering these ambitions.
The Historic Environment (Amendment) Bill will enhance the ability of regulatory and planning authorities to manage our historic environment for the benefit of future generations.
It will address a series of gaps and weaknesses in the current heritage protection framework.
The Bill will place no new burdens or duties on central or local government, owners of assets, businesses or members of the public. It is no less important a step forward.
The Chamber will know that this Government is committed to ensuring the future prosperity of our rural communities.
That is why we are investing £1.6 billion in a Rural Development Programme of economic, environmental and social measures over the next six years.
That is why we are investing in the ground-breaking Road Equivalent Tariff, which has seen a 14% increase in passenger numbers, and a 23% increase in car traffic on the pilot routes - a real boost to our island communities
And that is why we will introduce a Crofting Reform Bill.
Declining levels of activity, absenteeism and neglect are continuing problems for crofters, and there is a broad consensus that action needs to be taken to safeguard the future of this way of life.
This Bill represents an opportunity to take that much needed action.
We will work with colleagues across this Chamber, and other stakeholders, to ensure the best possible outcome is reached - that crofting remains a part of the heritage of the Highlands and Islands, and a model for sustainable communities in the 21st century. We will listen but we do have to act together as a Parliament
It is ironic, however, that this Parliament places such importance on the protection of our environment, and yet we have comparatively little say in the development of a great deal of environmental legislation.
Much environmental legislation - and policies on issues of vital national interest, such as fisheries - is European Union-led. Responsibility for the environment may be devolved, but Scotland doesn't have a seat at the top table in Brussels where key decisions are made. We don't have a single vote to cast. When push comes to shove, land-locked Luxembourg has a greater say on the Common Fisheries Policy than Scotland, a country with the richest fishing grounds in the European community.
That is a clear deficit. It is a democratic deficit, and it is a deficit which threatens our economic prospects.
Only as an independent Member State of the European Union will Scotland be properly represented in decision-making on these - and other - crucial issues.
That is one of the reasons why the Government will bring forward a Referendum Bill in 2010 .
There is a consensus for change.
The Calman Commission has proposed some areas for further devolution of responsibility to the Scottish Parliament, which we welcome.
There is no real disagreement in areas such as air guns and speed limits.
These responsibilities can be transferred easily and simply.
Let's do that now. We have already published the necessary draft orders - it can be done without primary legislation.
I recognise, however, that there are different opinions on what other responsibilities this Parliament should have.
I know what I think is best for Scotland.
I want Scotland to have the same responsibilities, and opportunities, as similar nations.
Until we can use all the economic and financial levers available to every other government in the world, Scotland will always be at a competitive disadvantage.
The Scottish Parliament has led the way on banning smoking, on free personal care, and on climate change.
We are rightly proud of this. But we should recognise that this has been achieved within the confines of limited devolution.
With independence, the only limitation on what we can achieve is our own creativity, our own determination, and our own principles.
Scots, in my estimation, should never be accused of lacking in any of these qualities.
Scotland needs to have the full powers of an independent nation if it is to flourish -
So that we can exploit our massive renewable energy potential;
So that we are better placed to respond to global challenges;
So that we can set our tax regime to suit Scotland, and encourage the growth of Scottish businesses;
So that we can make sure our fisherman, farmers and indeed working people are represented in Brussels;
So that our social security system meets the needs of the people of Scotland;
So that we can attract talented people to live, work and contribute to Scottish life.
I am very proud of what Scotland has achieved.
I am very proud to lead the Government in the Scottish Parliament.
But there is a glass ceiling that threatens Scotland's progress. For as long as limits are set on what we can do and what we can achieve, we will never fulfil our potential.
This Government was elected with a popular mandate to put the question of Scotland's future to the vote in a referendum.
Indeed, over the years, the list of those who have supported a referendum which includes independence as an option is - if not a wholly distinguished list, certainly a long one.
Just last month, Michael Forsyth - the man who encouraged us all to vote against the creation of a Scottish Parliament - was heard calling for a referendum on independence.
Tavish Scott told us last year that he is "not intuitively against making sure that people have a choice and opportunity to vote on these things".
We all know what Wendy Alexander thought when she was leader of the Labour Party.
But none of these people were breaking new ground - Donald Dewar and John Smith both campaigned for a multi-option referendum.
Even Gordon Brown called for a 'persistent, determined, and concerted' campaign for a multi-option referendum on Scotland's future.
It is time for the people of Scotland to have their say.
Not everyone will agree with our vision for the future.
But the people of Scotland must be heard. This parliament should not stand in their way. Let the people speak.