Programme for Government

Prosper has identified six flagship priorities.

1. Economic growth and productivity should become a whole-government mission, shaping decisions on regulation, taxation, planning, procurement and skills. Prosper proposes an Agile State Bill to modernise government processes and improve policy delivery, while supporting exporters, strengthening business support and ensuring major policies are assessed for their impact on competitiveness.
2. A National Public Service Reform and Productivity Programme. This would focus on prevention, innovation and digital transformation, backed by multi-year budgets, measurable reform plans and stronger partnerships between the public, private and third sectors.
3. We seek a Housing and Infrastructure Acceleration Plan to tackle shortages that are constraining investment and workforce growth. Prosper also advocates a National Infrastructure Pipeline, planning reform, a Housing Delivery Plan and a commitment to build at least 25,000 homes annually.
4. Scotland’s regions should be given greater powers, resources and flexibility to drive local growth. This includes placing Regional Economic Partnerships on a more sustainable footing through legislation and multi-year funding.
5. A pragmatic energy transition that combines rapid clean energy deployment with continued support for domestic oil and gas production. Prosper wants a refreshed energy strategy, faster consenting decisions, investment in ports and infrastructure and action to maximise the economic benefits of the ScotWind offshore wind seabed leasing programme and other projects.
6. A National Skills, Innovation and Technology Mission is needed to address skills shortages, accelerate reform, support universities and colleges, encourage lifelong learning, and improve the commercialisation of research and adoption of new technologies, including artificial intelligence.

These priorities would demonstrate that Scotland is serious about growth, reform and delivery.

You can read the full letter here