Scotland’s largest trade union body has urged the Scottish Government to prioritise the ‘people of Scotland and not political survival’ in their budget today (Tuesday).
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) are calling on the Scottish Government to take the “bold decisions” on reforming property, land and wealth taxes in their budget and to avoid “short-term electioneering” ahead of the election later this year.
Last year, on behalf of Tax Justice Scotland, the STUC published research showing Scotland’s five richest families hold more wealth than an entire quarter of Scotland’s population.
The research further showed that a modest 2% tax on all those with assets over £10 million could raise almost £500,000,000 for public services.
Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer implored the Finance Secretary Shona Robison “do what is right” and deliver for Scotland’s workers during the budget.
Ms Foyer said:“Today, the Scottish Government must do what is right and prioritise the people of Scotland not political survival.
“With the election looming large, this budget can’t sacrifice the long-term wellbeing and growth of our nation on the altar of short-term political survival. We must see bold decisions from the Finance Secretary on reforming tax on property and land, along with the introduction of wealth taxes, not more of the same measures designed to prioritise short-term electioneering.
“STUC research has shown that modest wealth taxes on Scotland’s richest few can benefit the many with almost £500,000,000 raised for the public coffers in the process.
“These are the measures the Scottish Government must prioritise if they want the support of Scotland’s workers.
“This isn’t about the next four months; if the government wishes to re-take office for the next five years, we urge them to do what is right and stand beside Scotland’s workers tomorrow, prioritising public services, job security and decent pay in their budget measures.”
STUC research ‘Taxing Wealth for a Fairer and Greener Scotland’ can be viewed here:
Billions a year lost to private profit: STUC report into Scotland’s outsourcing crisis
Almost £3 billion of public money is “lining the pockets” of private profiteers within Scotland’s public services according to a shock new report from Scotland’s largest trade union body.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has issued a stark warning following the publication of new research by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE), estimating that outsourcing is draining £2 to 3 billionEVERY YEAR from Scotland’s public services through private profit and financial extraction.
The report shows that Scotland’s public money is being siphoned away from vital public services, including health, social care, education and local government and into the pockets of investors, global corporations and private equity funds.
Published by the APSE on behalf of the STUC, the report highlights the private-dominated care sector, where 79% of care home places are now in private hands and more than 20% of income leaks out of the system to corporate owners and investors.
Scotland spends more than £16 billion a year buying services, goods and works from external suppliers. The services that are most commonly outsourced, such as social care and soft facilities management, are overwhelmingly staffed by women. The report highlights that sacrificing the pay and pensions of thousands of low paid women is discriminatory, unfair and counterproductive.
STUC Leader Roz Foyer condemned the findings and called into question the aims of the Scottish Government’s own Public Service Reform Strategy, which stresses prevention, whole-system planning, fair work and community wealth building.
Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary, said:“This report exposes the true cost of Scotland’s rip-off outsourcing crisis – a systematic extraction of public wealth on an industrial scale.
“Billions of pounds that should be paying for health, care staff, cleaners, refuse workers and local services are instead lining the pockets of shareholders and private equity interests with not a penny reinvested into our public services.
“We are urging the Scottish Government to act now. The bear minimum they need to do is ensure the same level of scrutiny is applied to the extent and quality of privately delivered public services as the Government applies to direct provision.
“However, you cannot build a Fair Work economy on the backs of the private profiteering of our public services. Insourcing, directly awarding services and embracing trade unions as partners in that endeavour is not only fairer but also economically smarter. Every pound kept in public hands supports local jobs, local economies and better services.
“As we approach the election, Scotland cannot afford political silence from prospective MSPs who ignore the silent privatisation of Scotland’s public services. Our public services are too important to be auctioned off to the lowest bidder and should not be handed to profiteers.”
The Chancellor will deliver a Budget later today [26 November] that takes the fair and necessary choices to deliver on the Government’s mandate for change.
It will include action to cut NHS waiting lists, cut debt and borrowing, and cut the cost of living to secure a strong future for the country, built on fairness and fuelled by growth.
Action to keep prescription costs under £10 (in England – Ed.), freeze rail fares for the first time in 30 years and increase the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage by £1,500 and £900 respectively has already been confirmed to put more money in people’s pockets at this Budget.
Investment for 250 Neighbourhood Health Centres (in England – Ed.) has also been confirmed as part of the Chancellor’s commitment to slash NHS waiting lists further and end the postcode lottery of healthcare access.
Ahead of her Budget speech, Rachel Reeves said:“Today I will take the fair and necessary choices to deliver on our promise of change.
“I will not return Britain back to austerity, nor will I lose control of public spending with reckless borrowing.
“I will take action to help families with the cost of living…cut hospital waiting lists…cut the national debt.
“And I will push ahead with the biggest drive for growth in a generation.
“Investment in roads, rail and energy. Investment in housing, security and defence. Investment in education, skills and training.
“So together, we can build a fairer, stronger, and more secure Britain.”
“GENERATION DEFINING” BUDGET MUST DELIVER FOR WORKERS
Scotland’s largest trade union body has issued a stark warning ahead of the Chancellor’s budget calling on Rachel Reeves to “deliver for workers” as the UK Government sets out, what the STUC call, a “generation defining” budget.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has set out five tax demands ahead of the statement, including actions on wealth taxes, bank profits and a “settling up” tax for those moving wealth and assets abroad.
The trade union body, as part of the wider Scotland Demands Better campaign, has also reiterated the call to scrap the two child-benefit cap in a move STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said was “long overdue”.
The STUC is further calling for increased investment in publicly owned energy as well as direct support for workers in carbon intensive sectors such as those in Grangemouth and Mosmorran.
Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyersaid: “The upcoming statement from the Chancellor is generation defining. It will signal to all whether the UK Government will continue to adhere to self-imposed financial rules and chaotic quick fixes, or whether they will invest in the public services and the industries and jobs of the future, delivering for workers with bold, radical policies to redistribute wealth.
“We’ve set out how the Chancellor can target those with wealth and assets and use it for the public good. For too long Labour Government policy has been about meeting self-imposed fiscal rules rather than setting out a bold plan for public sector-led growth.
“That must change. We must see, once and for all, the long overdue scrapping of the two-child benefit cap in addition to targeted action on reforming Capital Gains Tax. The Chancellor must also reign in the wild-west of banking profits, raising the surcharge from 3% to 35%, potentially netting £50 billion over four years.
“The people of Scotland and the wider United Kingdom voted for change. It’s high time it was delivered and the Chancellor simply cannot afford to waste this opportunity come Wednesday.”
STUC Disabled Workers Conference 2025: Usdaw seeks to tackle poverty and address the impact of new technology
Retail trade union Usdaw has a delegation of members, reps and officials attending the annual Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) Disabled Workers Conference in Glasgow this weekend, 22 and 23 November.
The union is raising the impact of new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), on disabled workers; along with seeking action to address and prevent disabled people’s poverty.
Tony Doonan – Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland says:“New technologies are dramatically changing the world of work and the daily lives of workers.
“The pace and scale of change is accelerating and disabled workers are disproportionately affected by technological advancement.
“The Scottish Government’s response remains a significant factor in disabled people’s inequality. Unless unions, and specifically disabled workers, are properly consulted about the development, application and implementation of new technologies in the workplace, including AI, disabled workers will continue to be discriminated against and excluded.”
Usdaw is calling on the STUC to work with all key stakeholders including governments to:
· Ensure conversations and decisions regarding the introduction of new technologies in the workplace include disabled workers, to improve their access to and experiences of paid work.
· Introduce a statutory duty requiring employers in both the public and private sectors to conduct and publish equality impact assessments specifically on the introduction of new technologies at work.
Tony Doonan continued:“Disabled people are already more likely to be living in poverty, with the continuing cost of living crisis adding to the extra costs that come with living as a disabled person.
“Disabled people also continue to face discrimination in the labour market and are more likely to be employed on short-hours contracts in low-paid work. The Adult Disability Payment in Scotland is key to enabling disabled people to meet the additional costs of being disabled, including costs associated with work.
“The recent publication of an independent review calls for a simplified and more accessible application process. Significantly, the review urges the Scottish Government to protect and improve access to ADP, advising them against restricting eligibility or introducing further barriers to application.
“We urge the Scottish Government to adopt the recommendations, including investing in sustainable funding for welfare advice services and more inclusive communication.”
Usdaw is calling on the Scottish Government to take a strategic and preventative approach to disabled people’s poverty by dealing with the long-term drivers including:
· Reviewing the adequacy of all disability benefits and disability-related premiums.
· Working with the UK Government to fully implement the disability pay gap reporting proposals in the UK’s draft Equality Bill.
· Raising awareness of the crucial role the social model plays in disability equality, and ensuring that they lead by example, embedding it in their approach to policy and decision making.
Thousands of Scottish workers will gain new skills and enhance their career prospects through a £2 million investment delivered by trade unions.
The latest round of the Scottish Government’s Union Learning Fund will support 23 programmes in sectors ranging from social care to the steel industry.
Projects include helping workers seize the opportunities presented by the transition to net zero industries. In Glasgow, access to literacy and numeracy courses will be expanded to support an ongoing apprenticeships initiative at City Building.
A number of projects will also address specific skills needs in the Highlands and Islands, including courses designed to help workers adapt to new technologies in the offshore wind industry.
Announcing the funding during Scottish Careers Week and following a speech at the Scottish Union Learning Conference, Higher and Further Education Minister Ben Macpherson said: “This investment will open up opportunities for thousands of people across Scotland to boost their career prospects and increase their earning potential.
“Working in partnership with trade unions ensures workers gain high-quality, industry relevant skills, while contributing to the development of the skilled workforce Scotland needs. This latest commitment builds on more than £30 million which we have provided to date.”
Scottish Trades Union Congress General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “We welcome this funding announcement which will provide vital assistance in upskilling Scotland’s workers.
“Trade unions are at the forefront of work-based learning, helping workers across Scotland face head-on ever shifting dynamics within the workplace.
The world of work is changing. Scotland’s workers stand ready to adapt, take on the challenges and broaden their horizons.
“The learning and development the trade union movement can offer is crucial in supporting workers to gain skills and training opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.”
Scottish Union Learning estimates that tens of thousands of people have benefited from its programmes since 2015.
16 trade unions are being supported by the Scottish Union Learning Fund in 2025-26 including:
UNISON – To provide learning and development for workers in social care, schools and across public services, with particular initiatives tailored to the needs of workers in the Highlands and Islands.
Unite the Union – To deliver a skills development programme and organising upskilling and reskilling opportunities within unionised workplaces. The programme supports workers facing redundancy and those in precarious employment, including initiatives responding to regional needs in the Highlands and Islands.
Community – To support skills development for workers in diverse workplaces, including Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries, Liberty Steel and court services, helping participants enhance employability and adapt to industrial change.
Retail trade union Usdaw has a delegation of members, reps and officials attending the annual Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) Black Workers’ Conference being held in Glasgow on 18 and 19 October.
Usdaw has contributed to two composite motions: firstly, seeking to stop the far right, standing against hate and division; and secondly, to improve workplace rights and protections for workers, recognising that Black workers are disproportionately over-represented in insecure jobs characterised by low pay, short and zero-hours contracts, and experience high levels of discrimination and harassment, and low levels of union organisation.
Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says:“Major challenges lie ahead for the anti-racist and anti-fascist movement and trade unions have a crucial role in creating a fairer and more equal society.
“The growth of the far right is a threat to all progressive movements — not least the Trade Union movement. It is being fuelled by the demonisation of refugees and migrants. We cannot allow them to attack those who are the most vulnerable, fleeing persecution and war.
“The TUC has developed a comprehensive strategy to tackle the far right and amplify the voices of the anti-racist majority, giving this work the high priority it demands.
“We welcome the Employment Rights Bill and its focus on rebalancing the economy, strengthening union organising and extending collective bargaining, which will help promote racial justice and tackle inequality.
“The surest way to defeat grievance politics is to improve jobs, raise living standards, while investing in public services and communities.”
Young people are in spiralling debt after years of “wage discrimination” according to a new report from Scotland’s largest trade union body.
The STUC report: ‘Young Workers Won’t Wait’ reveals how, because of low youth rates, 66% of respondents said they were in debt with debt levels in the region of £3,000 – £10,000, whilst only 46% said they could always afford the basics in life, such as food, transport and bills.
The UK’s Minimum Wage (the ‘National Living Wage’) laws allow workers to be paid less based on their age, even if their job, skills, and experience match those of colleagues, a move STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer called “abundantly discriminatory”.
While the minimum wage for workers over 21 is £12.21 it is £10 for workers aged 18-20 and £7.55 for workers aged 16 and 17.
Testimony submitted to the STUC outlined the experience of young workers working full-time for less pay when compared to other colleagues doing the same role.
One respondent noted: “I regularly worked 40-45 hours per week… and did not pursue further education opportunities as I could not afford to do so.
“It was very frustrating to be paid less that my colleagues when I was under 21 as I was doing the same work as them, worse hours, and with no additional responsibilities.”
Ms Foyer also warned the Prime Minister not to “betray” young workers after his promises during the general election to abolish youth rates of pay.
Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer, said: “Our report highlights the impact of the abundantly discriminatory rates of pay for young workers. Working alongside colleagues doing the exact same job should result in the exact same pay.
“Age should not define your worth or wage. With 66% of respondents saying they’re in eye watering debt – some as much as £10,000 – resultant from poor pay, it’s clear that discriminatory wage rates are trapping young people into poverty.
“Our message to the Prime Minister is clear: do not betray our young people. During the election, the Labour UK Government made the pledge to abolish youth rates of pay. It’s high time they paid up for young people and gave them a proper pay rise worthy of their work.”
Testimony heard further by the STUC outlined the account of Niamh, a previous retail worker who experienced youth rates of pay:
“Previous to this job, I worked many roles whilst studying at university where age discrimination in pay was prevalent. I was expected to do the exact same job and had the same responsibilities as other members of staff but was paid less simply because of my age.
“I do believe that this is one of the reasons I landed myself in debt as I was working as many hours a week as I could around my studies but was still unable to afford many things.
“I still had rent to pay, bills to be covered and food to put on the table like every other employee but because of my age, I was paid less and likely then struggled more because of this.”
Poverty Alliance: ‘People in Scotland are demanding better’
The NHS will deliver 100,000 additional GP appointments and Scotland will have a ‘best in UK’ cost-of-living guarantee, including the permanent abolition of peak rail fares, First Minister John Swinney announced as he set out a Programme for Government against a backdrop of global economic challenges.
Speaking one year since he was elected First Minister and one year before the end of this Parliament, Mr Swinney committed to a package of cost-of-living initiatives for households and businesses and a new Six Point Export Plan to unlock target markets.
He set out plans to strengthen the NHS with the delivery of extra GP appointments for key health risks such as high blood pressure, and 150,000 more NHS appointments and procedures, including a 50% increase in surgical procedures such as hip and knee replacements.
Key announcements include:
100,000 enhanced service GP appointments by March 2026 for key risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, obesity and smoking as well as more than 150,000 extra appointments and procedures, including surgeries and diagnostic tests, and target cancer pathways to tackle backlogs against the 62-day referral to treatment standard
The cost-of-living guarantee which includes ongoing free prescriptions, eye exams, bus travel for 2.3 million people, free tuition for students and more than £6,000 in early learning and childcare support for each eligible child
ScotRail peak rail fares abolished and the general alcohol ban on ScotRail trains removed and replaced with time and location restrictions
Winter fuel payments for pensioners restored
A new Six Point Export Plan, with a focus on actions to unlock target markets, and showcase Scotland to global buyers
A national regeneration fund that will support at least 26 projects to renew and restore communities, with a focus on delivering more local jobs
More rights and stronger protections for tenants, helping deliver more than 8,000 affordable homes, including for social and mid-market rent, and removing barriers on stalled building sites with the potential to deliver up to 20,000 new homes
The First Minister said: “This Programme for Government is focused on providing the best cost-of-living support across the UK, as well as delivering a renewed and stronger NHS.
“When I became First Minister a year ago, I heard loud and clear people’s concerns about the NHS which is why I am taking serious action to ensure the NHS meets the needs of the public.
“This PfG also shows decisive action to protect Scotland’s economy and maximise our economic potential in the face of global challenges.
“It is being published earlier than usual, in part because it allows a clear year of delivery on the NHS and other public services, but also due to the scale of the looming economic challenge.
“It is a programme for a better Scotland, for a stronger NHS and a more resilient and wealthier Scotland. It is a Programme for Government that gets our nation on track for success.”
POVERTY ALLIANCE: Government programme misses need for fundamental change
Commenting on the Programme for Government, Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly said: “Many of today’s announcements are welcome, but the package doesn’t go far enough towards creating a just and compassionate Scotland where people have what they need to build a life beyond poverty.
“More and more people in Scotland believe the system is rigged against them and their families. And they’re right.
“Scrapping peak rail fares for good will help many people on low incomes, but many, many more are still being left with unaffordable buses that don’t meet their needs.
“It’s welcome that this programme turns its back on previous cuts to affordable homes, but we urgently need more investment to create a social housing programme that will bring the scandal of child homelessness to an end.
“Reversing the effect of the unjust two-child limit for households in Scotland is the right thing to do, but there was no sign of a pledge to raise the Scottish Child Payment – never mind raising it to the £40 a week that we know is needed to meet our legal child poverty targets.
“And it was good to hear the First Minister talking about sharing Scotland’s growing wealth more fairly, but the Government simply can’t do that without using its powers over investment and taxation.
“People in Scotland are demanding better, and they want a Scottish Govt that will make the big, fundamental changes that will empower households to build a better life for themselves and a better future for all of us.”
STUC: Scrapping peak fares is a victory for workers in Scotland
Commenting on the scrapping of peak rail fares within the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, STUC Deputy General Secretary Dave Moxham said:“This is deeply welcome news that, whilst long overdue, shows the strength of campaigners and rail unions in demanding an affordable and accessible rail network that is fit for the future.
“This is a clear victory for workers in Scotland and it’s commendable the Scottish Government has listened to the voices of our movement – and listened to their own evidence – which showed the positive impact of scrapping peak fares.
“Peak fares were, simply put, a tax on workers that hit commuters directly in the pocket. We can now ensure we build an interconnected, cheaper and greener rail networks that puts people before profit and puts peak fares out of commission for good.”
Children First: First Minister missed another chance by not increasing Scottish child payment
Children First statement on Scottish Government Programme for Government
Mary Glasgow, chief executive of Children first, said: “We hoped the First Minister would bring bold, ambitious plans to tackle the crippling levels of child poverty in Scotland. Instead, the Programme for Government, while well-intentioned, lacked real action. The First Minister missed another chance to help families by not increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40.
“While we recognise the Scottish Government’s commitment to eradicating child poverty, supporting whole families and improving mental health support for young people, we are deeply concerned that it lacks urgency and the necessary financial resources and policy ambition.
“Scotland is facing a childhood emergency. The children and families we support cannot wait another 12 months for yet another fresh approach.
“They need action now.”
ALBA Party: Scotland “won’t accept” the Scottish Government’s decision to omit independence from its Programme for Government, says Ash Regan
For the second year in a row First Minister John Swinney has failed to mention independence in his Programme for Government with the document not setting out any plans to give Scots a choice on their future in the remainder of the current Parliament.
The SNP were re-elected in 2021 promising a referendum would be held during the life of the current Parliament but after the Supreme Court ruled against the Scottish Parliament’s ability to do so the Scottish Government have taken no action to find a path to giving the people of Scotland a choice on their future.
Alba’s Ash Regan wanted to see First Minister John Swinney set out the actions his Government will take to advance the case for Scottish independence in the run up to next year’s Scottish Parliament elections. But she has hit out as the Government has confirmed today that the only action it will take in the next year will be the publication of another independence paper.
The Alba MSP says that the Scottish Government’s plan for how it intends to progress the case for Scottish independence should have featured “front and centre” of John Swinney’s plans and the failure to do so is a “missed opportunity.”
Last year, in his first ever PfG as First Minister, John Swinney did not make reference to independence when he addressed parliament and in his speech today he again failed to reference any actions his Government would take to help deliver independence.
Commenting Alba Party Holyrood leader Ash Regan MSP said: “Last year the word ‘independence’ was not mentioned once in the Programme for Government statement to Parliament. Since then we have witnessed consistent polling showing that at least half the country favour independence.
“The failure to put independence front and centre of today’s Programme for Government is a wasted opportunity. The people of Scotland are now ahead of the SNP when it’s comes to independence and that is why we have seen a separation of support for independence and support for the SNP.
“Scots want to see a drive towards governing competently again and focus to be put back onto the people’s agenda of health, the economy, jobs and the protection of women and children.
“The case for independence has never been stronger, it is now vital we see support for Alba Party on the list to ensure the SNP don’t see out another term of Parliament without taking action on independence.”
RCEM: Scotland’s Programme for Government a ‘missed opportunity’ to tackle UEC crisis
After enduring another challenging winter, Scotland’s Programme for Government has failed to deliver a tangible plan to address the emergency care crisis. That’s the response from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine after the First Minister, John Swinney, delivered a speech today (6 May 2025) which laid out his government’s key pledges for the final year of the Scottish Parliament’s current term.
Reducing time patients wait for treatment by delivering more than 150,000 extra appointments and procedures, including surgeries and diagnostic tests.
Ensuring more people can see their GP and get cared for in the community – reducing pressures in hospitals
Ensuring more people can be cared for at home, reducing pressures in hospitals by expanding the number of Hospital at Home beds to at least 2,000 by December 2026.
Mr Swinney’s speech coincided with the release of new data by Public Health Scotland which revealed in March, there was an average of 1,925 people waiting to be discharged from hospital, despite being deemed medically well enough to go home.
That’s the highest number of so called ‘delayed discharges’ for the month of March since guidelines changed in 2016.
This is often caused due to a lack of social care support. Therefore, the system grinds to a halt, with patients stuck in Emergency Departments, often on trolleys in corridors, facing extreme waits because there’s no in-patient beds available.
Today’s figures, which cover March 2025, also show:
120,143 people attended a major Emergency Department in Scotland – a 17.7% increase when compared to February.
One in three patients waited four hours or more in Emergency Departments, one in 9 waited eight hours or more, and one in 23 waited 12 hours or more.
While waits have slightly improved across the board when compared to February, they are significantly higher when compared to March 2018. The numbers waiting four hours or more has increased by 158%, the numbers waiting more than eight hours by 490%, and the numbers waiting more than 12 hours by 803%.
There was a total of 60,129 days spent in hospital by people whose discharge was delayed – a 2.5% increase compared to March 2024 (58,646).
Dr Fiona Hunter, Vice President of RCEM Scotland said, “Today’s Programme for Government is a missed opportunity. It was a moment to resuscitate emergency care but instead, we have been left without a tangible plan.
“You just have to simply look at today’s figures from Public Health Scotland to see the level of pressure our Emergency Departments our under – thousands of people waiting extreme and dangerous long stays, often on trolleys, in corridors, because there are no available beds on wards for them to move to.
“And let’s be clear – these aren’t just numbers, data, statistics. Each is a loved family member – mums, dads, grandparents, sons, daughters.
“While we welcome the government’s commitment to improving access to GPs, this can’t be done in isolation. Equal attention is needed at the ‘back door’ of hospitals – ensuring patients who are well enough to be discharged, can be, with the appropriate social care in place.
“Only then will our patients be able to move as they should throughout the hospital system, rather than experiencing significant delays.
“Our members and their colleagues will be deeply disappointed after enduring another challenging winter. It’s left us asking, when will Emergency Care become a political priority?”
Greens hail peak rail fares U-turn and call for cheaper buses
The Scottish Greens have welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to finally take forward the Green policy of scrapping peak rail fares for good, and have called for action to make public transport cheaper across the board.
The policy was initially secured by the Scottish Greens through budget negotiations in 2023 before being dropped by the SNP in 2024.
In the 2025 budget the Greens secured a £2 bus fare cap that the Government has committed to rolling out as a regional pilot project by January 2026.
Speaking in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2025-26 debate today at Holyrood, the party’s co-leader, Lorna Slater, said: “I am delighted that the Government has finally committed to the Scottish Green policy of ending peak rail fares for good.
“Earlier this year, they said they wouldn’t do it. They even voted against Green calls to do it. We’ve finally got there.
“More brave decisions are needed to make all public transport cheaper.
“The Scottish Government agreed to Green proposals for a £2 bus cap, only as a local pilot from January 2026, but people all across Scotland need cheaper buses now.
“Will the First Minister avoid the hesitation he showed over peak rail fares, get on with delivering another great Green idea: capping the price of bus fares in Scotland for good?”
Independent Age: No New Support for Older People in Poverty
Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Agesaid: “Today’s Programme for Government announced no new support for older people in poverty.
“Making sure every pensioner in Scotland receives some winter heating support is very welcome, particularly for older people on lower incomes. However, there is more the Scottish Government should do to reduce the growing number of pensioners in poverty.
“With 156,000 older people across Scotland currently living in poverty – an increase of 30% the last decade – the need for a clear strategy to address this is more urgent that ever. Our polling shows that people of all ages in Scotland agree that a strategy to reduce pensioner poverty should be created – with 9 in 10 supporting the idea. Without one, people facing financial hardship in later life will continue to struggle to maintain even the most basic quality of life.
“Poverty at any age is extremely damaging to both mental and physical wellbeing. Our 2025 Index showed that nearly one in five (19%) older people in Scotland have a household income of under £15,000 a year and almost one in three (29%) older people in Scotland have skipped meals in the last 12 months.
“In a compassionate and wealthy society, this shouldn’t be the case. Both the UK and Scottish Governments need to take action. If the Scottish Government wants to make Scotland the best place to grow old and tackle the injustice of pensioner poverty it is essential they have a plan for doing so.”
Petroineos, the company which runs the refinery, has informed staff that all oil refining work at Grangemouth had ended.
Workers were told by email yesterday: ‘With the shutdown of CDU2 today, Grangemouth Refinery will cease processing crude oil and the era of refining at Grangemouth comes to an end.’
The news of the final confirmation of the site has come as a hammer blow to staff and is the latest nail in the coffin of Scottish industry.
Reacting to the news that oil refining at Grangemouth has ended Alba Party Leader Kenny MacAskill said:“This is a dark day for Scotland and a betrayal of the workforce by Labour. At the election, they promised to save the refinery but have gone back on that pledge whilst at the same saving British Steel in Scunthorpe.
“Labour have cynically pocketed the votes of the workers and then abandoned them once elected. This is a betrayal for which Labour will never be forgiven.
“Scotland is now the only major oil producing nation in the world not to have its own refining capacity.
“The skills of the workforce have been sacrificed and Grangemouth reduced to an import export terminal.
“This is the cost of the Union and demonstrates how Scotland is powerless without Independence.
“Independence is required so we can protect what is left of Scottish industry and put Scottish workers first.”
The UK Labour Westminster government and the SNP Holyrood government have yet to make an official statement on the end of oil refining at Grangemouth.
