FM urged to prioritise economy in first plan for Government

While the General Election and the new UK Government’s legislative and spending plans have dominated political headlines over the summer, next month Scotland’s new First Minister John Swinney will set out actions that his government will take over the next year.

His Programme for Government (PfG) will be published at an uncertain time for our economy, with a subdued recovery and unemployment on the rise. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has made growth her first national mission, but warns of tough tax and spending decisions in October’s Budget. As the Holyrood election in 2026 gets closer, the scope for new policies will be reduced.

Prosper is calling for a shorter, sharper PfG than its predecessors with the economy front and centre. This should specify the Government’s strategic priorities and actions, be clearer about policies that it will – and will not – pursue and alive to their impacts on growth, and fulfil commitments to businesses, local government and other partners to genuine consultation and ‘no surprise’ announcements.

This focus is additionally important in creating capacity in the Scottish Government to implement the shared commitment by John Swinney and Keir Starmer to work collaboratively on common ground. Prosper is recommending joint work in key areas such as industrial strategy, energy and grid, trade, skills and reform of the apprenticeship levy, and regional growth models and funding.

Our proposals for the Scottish Government include measures to drive private and public sector productivity, remove barriers to green industry, streamline planning and invest in housing. But our main ask is accelerating reforms to post-school education and skills planning, delivery and funding to better meet the needs of our current and future economy, support upskilling, and strengthen its financial sustainability.

We urge the First Minister to seize this opportunity to focus on growth and delivery of key priorities.

Our proposals for the Scottish Government include measures to drive private and public sector productivity, remove barriers to green industry, streamline planning and invest in housing. But our main ask is accelerating reforms to post-school education and skills planning, delivery and funding to better meet the needs of our current and future economy, support upskilling, and strengthen its financial sustainability.

We urge the First Minister to seize this opportunity to focus on growth and delivery of key priorities.