Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
People at the Centre

Become a member

New First Minister outlines government priorities

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 19th April 2023
an illustration of a newspaper with the word 'ALLIANCE' on it, a pink smart phone, and a purple laptop.

The Scottish Government reaffirms commitments to human rights incorporation, a National Care Service, and investment in social security.

In a statement to parliament, First Minister Humza Yousaf has set out out the broad aims and objectives of his government between now and the next election in 2026. Centred on three core missions defined as ‘equality, opportunity and community’, the Scottish Government have published a breakdown of their intended actions under each Cabinet portfolio.

Within the NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care portfolio, these include:

  • Reducing NHS waiting times, including for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
  • Improvements in workforce planning, including training and wellbeing, and increased pay in the adult social care sector
  • Legislating for a National Care Service with the aim of ensuring consistency of provision

Pledges coming under the Social Justice remit include:

  • Human rights legislation to embed economic, social and culture rights, as well as establish an equality and human rights mainstreaming strategy
  • Further investment in Social Security Scotland, including £1.3bn into the Scottish Child Payment
  • Progress on fairer funding arrangements including the possibility of multi-year funding deals for the third sector

Other pledges within other portfolios including re-affirming the intention to fully incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC); investment in public transport as well as walking, wheeling and cycling; and increasing the number of people in jobs that adhere to Fair Work principles. This is to be underpinned by using existing tax powers to deliver a more progressive system and generate revenue.

The ALLIANCE had previously written to the First Minister shortly after his election to share our own views on priorities for the years ahead. We welcome the government’s stated commitment to human rights incorporation and investment in social care and social security, whilst reaffirming the importance of accessible, person-centred public services and support for the third sector.

End of page.

End of page.

You may also like:

Back to all news