ALLIANCE statement following the First Minister’s resignation
- Area of Work: Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 30th April 2024
Regardless of who is First Minister, there must be progress on social care reform, human rights, and health inequalities.
This week, First Minister Humza Yousaf announced his intention to resign, pending the appointment of a successor. The ALLIANCE has enjoyed a positive working relationship with Mr Yousaf during his time as Health Secretary and First Minister. We welcomed his consistent support for investment in community-based approaches through the Self Management Fund, and for the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience, including in the design of a post mesh service. We were also pleased to welcome him to speak at our 2022 Annual Conference, at the Self Management Awards, and on an ALLIANCE Live podcast. We wish him the best for the future.
The ALLIANCE recognises that the current political and financial circumstances in Scotland are challenging. However, regardless of who the next First Minister is, it is essential that they do not lose sight of the need to make progress on NHS recovery, rebalancing healthcare investment towards prevention, reform of social care in line with the Feeley Review, reducing health inequalities, maximally incorporating human rights, and the long term stability of the third sector. This must be underpinned by a fair and sustainable approach to taxation and revenue raising, which works towards realising human rights and delivering on the government’s obligations to tackle poverty and climate change.
The ALLIANCE will continue to engage constructively as a critical friend of the Scottish Government over the coming period. We also trust that the Scottish Parliament as a whole shares our desire to see the best possible outcomes for disabled people, people living with long term conditions, and unpaid carers, as part of wider progress on building a fairer, more equitable society.
End of page.
You may also like:
The Scottish Government have set out their priorities for the last year of this Scottish Parliament term.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE is seeking the views of our members on the UK Government's Green Paper on disability and work.
Continue readingChief Officer of the ALLIANCE, Sara Redmond, calls for equal focus on social care.
Continue readingHave your say on the ALLIANCE's response to the Long Term Conditions Framework consultation.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE has published a response to the Equality, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee’s inquiry into the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015
Continue readingNHS Education for Scotland (NES) has published its new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy 2025-2029 today.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE is one of over 110 organisations backing a joint briefing on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Continue readingNear record alcohol deaths see experts from over 70 organisations demand the Scottish Government take urgent action.
Continue readingThe research looked at what low-income households in Scotland think of promotions in stores of unhealthy food and drink.
Continue readingPolicy Position Statement on Making Environmental Policy Inclusive in Scotland.
Continue readingSubscribe to receive future editions of the human rights newsletter.
Continue readingThis call comes after revelations of overuse of restraint and forced injections at adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit, Skye House.
Continue readingScotland's new national suicide prevention public awareness campaign and website launch.
Continue readingThis consultation is seeking views on how to introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay reporting for large employers.
Continue readingNHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan sets out actions to improve aspects of healthcare delivery.
Continue readingThese moves will plunge thousands of disabled people into hardship, and threaten Scotland’s devolved system.
Continue readingRead a statement from our Chief Officer, Sara Redmond, on the recent social security announcement from the UK government.
Continue readingCould you help shape the future of Human Rights in Scotland? Apply to join the SNAP2 Leadership Panel
Continue readingThe UN ICESCR Committee has issued its recommendations and several reflect points made by the ALLIANCE and our members.
Continue readingCarers Scotland launches their State of Caring in Scotland 2024 research report.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE responds to the Equality, Human Rights, and Civil Justice Committee's inquiry into the the Public Sector Equality Duty.
Continue readingOur response calls for a human rights based approach to outcomes, and to consider how to strengthen the SHRC.
Continue readingA Scotland that Cares campaign calls on the Scottish Government to set a dedicated National Outcome on Care now.
Continue readingPublic Health Scotland have published a briefing on transport poverty and health inequalities.
Continue readingThe Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has published a report on the state of economic, social and cultural rights in Scotland.
Continue reading