The Scottish Government has delivered 80 priorities set out by the First Minister in May — but the annoucement was overshadowed by news that Scotland has just recorded more than 5000 daily Covid cases for the first time.
These commitments have been delivered across government and Ministerial portfolios, covering health and care, economy, climate change, communities, children and families, and how we lead Scotland safely through and out of the pandemic.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Recovery from the pandemic is an urgent priority for the government and I am proud of the bold, ambitious and transformative measures we have delivered in just 100 days.
“But this is only the beginning and there is much more we can and will do to build a fairer and more sustainable country as we continue to drive Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic.
“We have introduced co-ordinated and targeted policies which deliver demonstrable positive change for the people, families and communities who need it most – and for our economy, public services and environment.
“Delivering on the commitments that the First Minister made in May demonstrates our progress in taking the steps needed to make lasting and generational change, and to improve the lives of people across Scotland.”
Achievements include:
- consulting on the creation of a National Care Service to improve social care for everyone who needs it
- funding for 1,000 extra teachers and 500 pupil support assistants
- doubling the carers’ allowance supplement this winter through the introduction of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland) Bill
- publishing a recovery plan for the NHS
- £25 million to help small and medium businesses use digital technology and upskill employees
- free NHS dental care for all young people under 26 years old.
- opening three new rapid cancer diagnostic centres
- tackling loneliness and social isolation – particularly among young and disabled people
- free school lunches for more than 90,000 children
- appointing Environmental Champions to advise government on international best practice
- launching the new Green Jobs Work Academy to help people get the skills they need to move into new, greener jobs
The Scottish Government also committed to 14 new mobile phone masts to deliver high-speed connectivity for the first time to homes and businesses in rural communities. 14 new masts have been built, seven of which have been activated. The remaining seven are due to be activated by November.
But while the Scottish Government hails progress made since May’s Holyrood election, there are growing concerns about rising Covid-19 numbers.
The 100 days commitments had six particular areas of focus:
- leading Scotland out of the pandemic
- supporting our NHS and care services
- backing our economy and creating jobs
- helping children, families and young people
- tacking the climate crisis
- backing our communities and building better lives.
Yesterday – the day the Scottish Government made it’s 100 days delivery statement – also saw the highest ever number of Covid-19 cases. 5,021 new cases were reported in Scotland.
The government hails their first hundred days as a positive start, but it will be their actions to address the most ‘urgent priority’ – the rampant Covid virus – that will prove crucial for Scotland over the coming hundred days.
