FIRST Minister Humza Yousaf placed a distinct emphasis on the NHS, the economy and helping people through the cost-of-living crisis in his first speech as party leader to SNP conference on Tuesday.
Here are the key policies he announced to delegates:
Scotland’s first bond
In what he called the party’s “most ambitious proposal yet”, Yousaf announced that by the end of this Parliament – May 2026 - the Scottish Government will issue the country’s first ever bond to fund vital infrastructure.
The First Minister has commissioned initial work including due diligence assessments with the aim of making the bonds available to the international market by the end of the current parliamentary session.
The FM said this would “demonstrate the credibility to international markets that we will need when we become an independent country”.
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He added: “This will bring Scotland to the attention of investors across the world.
“And it will raise our profile as a place where investment returns can be made.”
Steps will include undertaking detailed analysis to ensure value for money can be achieved and further consideration of the potential investment opportunities in Scotland.
Bonds are the standard form of borrowing for governments around the world and support spending including on major infrastructure projects, with buyers owed the value of the bond plus interest over a specific period of time.
Council tax freeze
Following a consultation, it has been decided council tax will be frozen next year to help people who are struggling financially amid soaring prices.
Yousaf said: “We know that people are filled with dread when the bills are going up and up.
"We can’t stop all the bills rising – but where we can act, we should".
The Scottish Government has previously proposed raising council tax by as much as 22.5% for homes in higher bands.
£300 million for NHS
An extra £300 million is to be put towards cutting NHS waiting lists.
In each of the next three years, the Scottish Government will provide an extra £100m to improve NHS inpatient and day-case waiting lists, and reduce the total number of patients who have waited too long for treatment.
It is anticipated this will reduce waiting lists in Scotland by an estimated 100,000 patients by 2026.
Yousaf said: “When our NHS needs us, this party steps up. Delivering for patients, delivering for our NHS, delivering for Scotland.”
Renewable energy investment
It was announced £500m will be invested over the next five years to anchor a new offshore wind supply chain in Scotland.
Yousaf said: “The oil and gas industry, and most crucially our workers here in the North East, are vital to Scotland’s economy. They will be for years to come.
“But we need to look to the future. So a Just Transition isn’t just important for tackling the climate emergency – for that it is – but it is also a huge economic opportunity.
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“Successful bidders for the ScotWind offshore licensing round have indicated that there is the potential for £25 billion to be invested in the Scottish supply chain over the lifetime of ScotWind.
“But we cannot just sit back and expect it to fall into our laps. Working with industry, we are determined to create it.”
Doubling of arts and culture investment
In what Yousaf said would send a “clear signal” about his cultural ambitions, it was confirmed that over the next five years the Scottish Government will more than double investment in Scotland’s arts and culture.
This means that by the end of the five years, investment will be £100m higher.
Yousaf said: “This is a huge vote of confidence in the future of our culture sector and in the vital work of bodies like Screen Scotland, Creative Scotland and our festivals.
“If politics is about choices, I choose to ensure that Scotland’s arts and culture are supported to grow at home, and be seen across the world.”
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