50,000 first-time buyers supported in this parliament
The first round of applications for a First Homes Fund will open by the end of June, providing first-time buyers with a £10,000 contribution towards a deposit on their first home.
The shared-equity scheme will be open to all prospective owners looking to make their first step on to the property ladder, with a limit of £300,000 on the value of the property purchased.
It is expected the first phase of the fund will support 2,000 households over the first 100 days of this Government and 50,000 over the course of this Parliament.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Anne Somerville confirmed the scheme’s opening to the Scottish Parliament yesterday.
Ms Somerville said: “For too many people across Scotland, particularly younger people and first-time buyers, home ownership has felt increasingly out of reach. In communities the length and breadth of our nation, we are hearing the same story; people saving what they can but finding that the cost of a deposit is simply too great a barrier.
“That is the context in which this Government will act. This is a direct response to the experience of people across Scotland. We have listened and are taking fast, decisive action.
“The Fund sits within a broader programme of action and supported by a record £4.9 billion investment in affordable housing over the next four years.
“We promised we would support first time buyers and we are delivering.”
Scottish Child Payment key to eradicating child poverty
Across Scotland, 321,885 children are benefiting from Scottish Child Payment as of March 2026, according to newly published statistics.
Launched in February 2021, the Scotland-only benefit is a weekly payment of £28.20, paid every four weeks to every eligible child under 16 within a household.
Scottish Child Payment is expected to keep 50,000 children out of relative poverty in 2026–27. This underlines the critical role that Scottish Child Payment plays in eradicating child poverty in Scotland.
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “Eradicating child poverty and supporting families with the cost of living is a key focus for this government.
“It’s clear that the Scottish Child Payment is making a major difference to families which is why we will now go further by increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per week for families with children under the age of one.
We remain fully committed to doing everything we can to support families and give every child the best possible start in life. Scottish Child Payment remains central to that mission.”
FM: “I will lead a government that is always on Scotland’s side.”
Prosperity, security and fairness are the principles driving an ambitious vision for Scotland’s future, First Minister John Swinney has said.
In a statement to Parliament setting out ambitious plans that his government will drive forward, the First Minister outlined measures to expand cost of living support, accelerate sustainable economic growth, strengthen public services and to unlock Scotland’s potential by delivering a fresh start with Independence.
Mr Swinney said: “Realising the potential of every part of our country, supporting families with rising costs and securing our nations’ future are at the core of my vision for Scotland. I will lead a government that is always on Scotland’s side.
“Our cost of living support is already the best of any UK nation, but we will go further to protect and expand support for families. I want to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed – regardless of their background – and eradicate the scourge of poverty on our society.
“Strong public services are at the heart of every successful society, and my government will do all we can to make services more effective and easier to access. That includes strengthening our NHS, reducing waiting times and improving more schools and colleges.
Prosperity, security and fairness drive our vision for Scotland's future.
• expand cost of living support • strengthen public services • drive forward economic innovation • deliver a fresh start with independence pic.twitter.com/moDmDvompc
“Strengthened public services and generous cost of living support must work in tandem with a high-performing economy, one that harnesses our countries resources, potential and talent to boost success and create opportunity.
My government will work to empower our regions to make the most of their economic advantages and streamline regulation to support investment and growth.
“A truly prosperous, secure Scotland can only reach its full potential outside the confines of the United Kingdom.
The recent, emphatic election result, with the largest ever pro-independence majority within the Scottish Parliament, has given the clear mandate for Scotland to decide its own future, which is why this parliament calls on the UK Government to transfer the power to hold a referendum on independence.
“I hope that giving Scotland the legal right to decide its own future will help build the foundations of a fairer, more prosperous nation as an independent member of the European Union.”
Encouraging children and young people to get active
A nationwide summer programme of free and low-cost sporting activities – including football, rugby, padel, swimming, cycling and athletics – has been launched by Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth.
Backed by Scottish Government investment, as part of a £20 million fund, and administered by sportscotland, the Summer of Sport programme will give children and young people the chance to get active in their local communities through events and activities hosted by schools, clubs, sporting bodies and local authorities.
Under the campaign theme ‘Game On’, the initiative has been designed to harness inspiration from a landmark summer of international sport – including the Scotland men’s team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals tournament and Glasgow’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games.
The Deputy First Minister officially kicked off the programme at Pollok United in Nethercraigs, Glasgow, one of the organisations benefiting from Summer of Sport investment.
This summer the First Minister will travel to Boston at World Cup organiser FIFA’s invitation to watch Scotland’s historic return to the men’s finals tournament after 28 years, in their first match against Haiti on 13 June.
Deputy First Minister Ms Gilruth said: “As Scotland approaches landmark international sporting events, our Summer of Sport initiative will harness the excitement to inspire communities across the country to get involved and get active themselves.
“This innovative programme will offer free and inclusive sporting activities for children and young people – encouraging a new generation to take part in sport and physical activity.
“As part of our wider £40 million additional funding for the 2026-27 sport budget, we are removing barriers to accessing sport and delivering sustainable opportunities for people across Scotland to be more active.
“Activities will take place throughout this summer and beyond, helping to increase participation and enable more young people to remain active long after the final whistle of this summer’s major events.”
Maureen Campbell, Chair of sportscotland, added: “This is a hugely exciting time for Scottish sport. The 2026 Summer of Sport campaign, made possible by Scottish Government investment, is a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared ambition to make sport more inclusive and accessible.
“At sportscotland, we believe that sport has the power to strengthen communities and change lives – this investment will help to do exactly that. We’re proud to play our part in helping more young people enjoy the benefits of being active as we celebrate a fantastic summer of sport.”
Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said: “Scotland’s participation in the FIFA World Cup will generate excitement across the country, and it is important that this inspiration translates into opportunities for people to take part in sport at all levels.
“While football will play a role in launching the Summer of Sport, the wider programme ensures that communities across Scotland can access a broad range of sports and activities throughout the summer.”
Speaking ahead of Scotland’s return to football’s biggest stage for the first time in 28 years, Scottish National Team player Craig Gordon added: “Sport can be life-changing for young people – it builds confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.
“With such a big summer ahead for Scottish sport, it is brilliant to see investment being made to ensure children and young people across the country have real opportunities to get involved, try something new, and stay active in their local areas.”
In the 2026-27 Budget, the Scottish Government has provided a £20 million uplift to core funding for sporting organisations and an additional £20 million to create innovative and inspiring physical activity opportunities for young people across Scotland.
Bringing you our fantastic final commitment in our new Scottish Government Social Impact Pledge!
Ruthanne Baxter and Cathy Southworth, Co-Leads of @edinburghmedicalschool 300 Community Connections, are here to share it with you:
“We will undertake activities that ensure our local communities feel tangible positive impact of our celebration of 300 years of the Faculty of Medicine (EMS300) at the University of Edinburgh.”
Supporting families with the cost of living and eradicating child poverty will be a key focus of the Scottish Government, First Minister John Swinney has said.
Ahead of a visit to meet parents and children at a Bookbug session in Wester Hailes the First Minister said tackling the cost of living, ensuring people get support before reaching a crisis, and helping children and parents in the early years will be key priorities for the new Cabinet.
In March, the Scottish Government set out plans to drive further reductions in child poverty. This includes committing an additional £500,000 over two years to expand Bookbug, supporting a further 20,000 low-income families across Scotland.
Mr Swinney said: “Every child in Scotland deserves a future free from the scourge of poverty. It will be the defining mission of my government to support families with the cost of living and eradicate child poverty.
“Our policies are already helping to keep an estimated 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year – but we are determined to deliver truly ambitious change to reduce the cost of living.
“This includes expanding all year round childcare to all children from nine-months to the end of primary school, introducing a £2 nationwide cap on bus fares, increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 for under-ones and delivering comprehensive ‘Whole Family Support’ that wraps around families in their communities, helping break the cycle of poverty.”
Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing.
“I look forward to driving further progress on the work started in the last parliamentary term to eradicate child poverty, tackle the cost of living and accelerate the delivery of more affordable homes.
“Reducing child poverty in Scotland is at the heart of this government’s ambitious agenda for change and we will work across government, the parliament and with our much-valued third sector, to give families the safety and security they need.”
FM: “Government will be focused on people’s priorities.”
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney has appointed his new Cabinet, unveiling a streamlined team of Cabinet Secretaries to deliver on the things that matter most to the people of Scotland.
Comprising eight Cabinet Secretaries, including the Deputy First Minister, the First Minister has said his Cabinet will focus on the priorities of the people, including supporting people through the cost of living crisis, ensuring easier access to the NHS and delivering a fresh start with independence.
The focused and streamlined Cabinet will include the first ever Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform, who will lead cross-government work to ensure public services are responsive to the needs of the people of Scotland.
Responsibility for independence and the constitution will now sit directly with the First Minister.
The Cabinet, which is made up of a majority of women, consists of:
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Jenny Gilruth
Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform Ivan McKee
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Neil Gray
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care Angela Constance
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs Gillian Martin
Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic Màiri McAllan
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Anne Somerville
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn
First Minister John Swinney said: “I am immensely proud to appoint this Cabinet with the experience, energy and drive to deliver on the mandate given to us by the people of Scotland. This will be a Scottish Government working for Scotland.
“As a leaner, more agile government, our full focus will be on delivering on the things that matter most to the people of Scotland, including supporting people with the cost of living crisis, ensuring easier access to the NHS and delivering a fresh start with independence.
“This new team will hit the ground running, delivering major progress on our priorities within the first 100 days, before continuing to deliver on the emphatic mandate given to us by the people of Scotland.
“This team of Cabinet Secretaries will bring experience, drive and a determination to deliver for Scotland – and this government will work harder than ever to repay the trust that people have placed in us.”
Excluding Law Officers, the new Cabinet of nine, including the First Minister, is down from twelve before the election.
Scottish Ministers appointed
First Minister John Swinney has also appointed Scottish Ministers, following the completion of a new Cabinet.
The Scottish Government now consists of eight Cabinet Secretaries, including the Deputy First Minister, and eleven Ministers.
Seven new Ministers have joined the Scottish Government, including six who enter government for the first time. This includes Stephen Flynn, Stephen Gethins, Hannah Mary Goodlad, Kirsten Oswald, Alison Thewliss and Simita Kumar.
Newly appointed Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy Stephen Gethins will report directly to the First Minister. The First Minister will hold direct responsibility for independence and the constitution.
Newly appointed Public Finance Minister Hannah Mary Goodlad will support both the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, and the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform.
The full Scottish Government ministerial team consists of:
First Minister, John Swinney
Minister for Europe, External Affairs & Energy, Stephen Gethins
Minister for Parliamentary Business & Veterans, Jamie Hepburn
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Jenny Gilruth
Minister for Public Finance, Hannah Mary Goodlad (reporting jointly to the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform)
Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform, Ivan McKee
Minister for Public Finance, Hannah Mary Goodlad (reporting jointly to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government)
Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Neil Gray
Minister for Victims & Community Safety, Kirsten Oswald
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care, Angela Constance
Minister for Community Care, Alison Thewliss
Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol & Drugs, Maree Todd
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, Gillian Martin
Minister for Agriculture, Marine & the Islands, Jim Fairlie
Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, Màiri McAllan
Minister for Children, Young People, & The Promise, Siobhian Brown
Minister for Innovation, Technology & Tertiary Education, Ben Macpherson
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing, Shirley-Anne Somerville
Minister for Equalities & International Development, Simita Kumar
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn
Jenny Gilruth takes on “greatest honour of my life.”
Jenny Gilruth has been appointed Deputy First Minister by First Minister John Swinney.
Ms Gilruth described it as “the greatest honour of my life” as she accepted the role.
Ms Gilruth will support the First Minister in ensuring the Scottish Government delivers on the priorities of the people of Scotland.
Her Cabinet portfolio will be confirmed in due course.
The First Minister said: “Jenny Gilruth has already shown she can deliver for the people of Scotland, not least in averting damaging teachers strikes earlier this year.
“Now, as my government takes on the emphatic mandate we were given by the people, she will play a central role in making sure we deliver on people’s priorities.
“This will be a Scottish Government working for Scotland. We have pledged that we will support people with the cost of living, ensure easier access to the NHS and deliver a fresh start with independence. That is exactly what we will do, and I am pleased that Jenny will bring her drive and determination to that task.”
Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “Being asked to serve as John Swinney’s Deputy First Minister is the greatest honour of my life.
“We are coming into government refreshed by the faith people have placed in us and determined to deliver on the job they have asked us to do – supporting people through the cost of living crisis, giving people easier access to the NHS and delivering a fresh start with independence.
“That is our task and it is one I will dedicate myself to delivering as Deputy First Minister, in a Scottish Government working for Scotland.”
John Swinney: “I will be a First Minister for all of Scotland”
The Scottish Parliament has nominated John Swinney as First Minister of Scotland, following the 2026 election.
Addressing members of the Scottish Parliament, Mr Swinney outlined his ambitions for the parliamentary term, including action to tackle the cost of living, improve the NHS and grow the economy to create opportunity across Scotland. He also pledged to work together to deliver progress for Scotland and to meet the challenges facing the country.
Mr Swinney is expected to be formally appointed with a Royal Warrant from His Majesty King Charles III. He will be sworn in at the Court of Session today (Wednesday) , where he will take the Official Oath in front of the Lord President of the Court of Session and other senior judges.
First Minister John Swinney said: “I have ambitious goals for this Parliamentary session. I want to ease the cost of living crisis, ensure the NHS is protected and easy to access, ensure cohesion in our communities and protect the environment, and grow the economy and create opportunity across our country.
“I believe I can achieve a majority for every ambition I have for this Parliament and I look forward to working with many here to do so. That, of course, includes the question of Scotland’s constitutional future on which I recognise there are profound differences of opinion. Indeed the people have now elected the largest pro-independence majority in the history of devolution.
“I will be a First Minister for all of Scotland. A First Minister that works to bring people together with a strong sense of national purpose. The country I seek to build is a country where everyone feels accepted and able to contribute to our national story.
“I gratefully accept this opportunity to serve as First Minister. It is the greatest privilege and the greatest responsibility of my life. I promise to work every day to repay the trust that the people of Scotland have placed in me.”
School libraries across Scotland are being invited to bid for a share of £150,000 in Scottish Government funding to deliver innovative projects that inspire reading for pleasure, widen access to books and help children and young people build vital digital skills.
The 2026/27 School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF), administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), will support creative initiatives that widen engagement with reading, foster whole-school reading cultures and help pupils develop the literacy, wellbeing and digital skills needed to thrive in modern life.
SLIF supports projects aligned with the ambitions of Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools — the national strategy for school libraries in Scotland. Open to all state-run nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools in Scotland, this year’s fund will prioritise applications focused on:
promoting reading for pleasure and developing whole-school reading cultures
improving equity of access to books, libraries and reading experiences
strengthening digital and information literacy, and
supporting wellbeing, creativity and partnership working to widen engagement with reading
Projects funded through previous rounds of SLIF have demonstrated the powerful role school libraries play in supporting attainment, confidence, inclusion and wellbeing. From transforming unused spaces into vibrant reading hubs to creating intergenerational storytelling projects, digital media initiatives and community reading programmes, SLIC is encouraging schools and library services to submit bold, creative ideas that reflect the needs and aspirations of their local communities.
Last year 17 trailblazing projects were awarded a share of the SLIF. Successful initiatives included inclusive reading projects using assistive technology in Aberdeen, podcasting and digital storytelling programmes in Renfrewshire, a football-inspired emotional literacy project in East Renfrewshire delivered in partnership with Police Scotland, and large-scale family and community reading initiatives spanning schools in Inverclyde, the Highlands and East Lothian.
Other funded initiatives explored themes including myths and legends and empathy through reading, while a range of projects also focused on digital literacy and accessibility to ensure every child can experience the joy of reading.
Alison Nolan, chief executive of SLIC, said: “The School Library Improvement Fund continues to highlight the innovation and ambition within school libraries across the country.
“Every year, we see inspiring projects that make a tangible difference, helping children and young people discover a love of reading, build confidence, strengthen digital skills and feel more connected to their school communities.
“This year’s priorities place reading and equitable access at the heart of the programme, while also recognising the ever-growing importance of wellbeing, creativity and digital literacy. We are encouraging schools and library staff to think boldly about what their library can achieve and to develop ideas that deliver real impact for learners and their families.”
Schools can submit either individual or collaborative applications, with SLIC accepting up to two individual applications per local authority and an unlimited number of collaborative applications, helping ensure opportunities are shared fairly across Scotland.
The School Library Improvement Fund 2026-27 is now open. Applications will close at 12pm on 8 June 2026.To find out more and apply, visit:
