GRAHAM GRANT: Predictably, independence will be top of Swinney's to-do list… ... trends now
He is on course to lead the SNP Government after his confirmation as party leader yesterday – but John Swinney faces a mountainous in-tray.
If appointed First Minister today, as expected, he has promised to reduce child poverty, work towards achieving ‘net zero’ carbon emissions, and create a ‘successful economy’.
But it’s a tough challenge – the proportion of children living in ‘relative poverty’ has risen to from 23 to 26 per cent between 2022 and 2023 – while Humza Yousaf dumped ambitious climate change targets.
Meanwhile, growth in Scotland has been running at roughly half the UK level since Nicola Sturgeon came to office in 2014.
Mr Swinney also pledged last week to improve delivery of public services, including the NHS, ‘so that people can see their lives are getting better as a result of the actions of their government’.
Yet health spending is set to fall – despite Mr Swinney’s decision as stand-in Finance Secretary in 2022 to hike taxes for higher earners, supposedly to boost ‘patient care’.
If appointed First Minister, John Swinney faces a mountainous in-tray, says Graham Grant
Predictably, he said Scotland could only prosper if it had the powers of a ‘normal country’ as he signalled a ramping-up of independence rhetoric in the run-up to the general election, expected later this year.
Yet there are many more pressing issues after nearly 20 years of Nationalist failure and incompetence.
Here are the key policies which the prospective First Minister should prioritise – but don’t be surprised if very few of them materialise...
TAXATION
More than 1,000 higher and top earners have fled Scotland to escape the SNP’s punitive taxes – the highest in the UK.
In a triple whammy announced in December’s Budget, a 45p income tax band has been introduced on earnings above £75,000; the top rate on earnings above £125,140 has risen by 1p to 48p; and the higher rate threshold has been frozen at £43,663.
Someone earning a £35,000 salary is paying £61 more in Scotland than the rest of the UK, rising to £442 at £45,000, £1,696 at £55,000, and £2,096 at £75,000.
Taxes must be slashed to turn Scotland into a magnet for entrepreneurs – increasing the number of taxpayers and kick-starting moribund growth.
BUSINESS RATES
Sky-high business rates are helping to kill off struggling high streets – but the SNP has refused to provide desperately needed relief for firms clinging to survival.
The UK Government is offering 75 per cent rates relief in the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors in England.
But Finance Secretary Shona Robison snubbed calls for similar moves in Scotland – which has been blamed for contributing to the loss of 29,000 retail jobs.
Businesses are crying out for respite from a crippling tax regime.
SCHOOLS
Exam pass rates slumped to their lowest level since before the pandemic last year – and many children appear to have dropped out of state education.
Nearly one in three Scots pupils are deemed to be ‘persistent absentees’ after missing 10 per cent or more of the school year.
Mr Swinney should ensure his Education Secretary steps up efforts to crack down on truancy.
Stricter discipline is crucial to tackle classroom violence and to provide a peaceful learning environment – meaning there must be
