Humza Yousaf has laid out his government’s key priorities in his first major policy statement as Scotland’s First Minister.
The SNP leader delivered a speech at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday afternoon where he promised a “fresh vision” for the future.
It’s his first policy announcement since taking over from Nicola Sturgeon.
He announced the Scottish Government’s flagship recycling policy, the deposit return scheme (DRS), will be delayed by ten months.
The scheme would be the first of its kind in the UK.
The scheme will see shoppers pay a 20p deposit every time they buy a drink in a bottle or can, with the money returned to them when they bring the empty containers back for recycling.
But critics warned the move will hurt businesses and consumers, resulting in higher prices.
Yousaf said he wanted to “re-set” the Scottish Government’s relationship with business.
The statement, which is accompanied by a policy paper, falls under the three key themes of equality, opportunity and community and builds on the Scottish Government’s legislative agenda in the Programme for Government and the Bute House Agreement.
The First Minister pledged action to tackle poverty, grow the economy and ensure Scotland’s transition to net zero.
During his speech to MSPs, Yousaf announced a six-month pilot scheme that will see peak ScotRail train fares scrapped across Scotland, starting in October.
The First Minister pledged to ensure Scotland has the most progressive tax system in the UK to redistribute wealth in the country.
Among his measures to battle poverty include a further £1.3bn investment to the Scottish Child Payment by 2026 and convening an anti-poverty summit
He also announced a 10-month delay to the Scottish Government’s flagship recycling scheme, the Deposit Return Scheme, to March 2024.
It comes just hours after the SNP’s treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested by Police Scotland over the ongoing investigation into party funding and finances.
Speaking before his announcement, Yousaf said he would not comment on an active police investigation but admitted it was a “very serious matter indeed”.
He said he would consider the MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh’s position on Holyrood’s public audit committee as well as his role as SNP treasurer.
What did Humza Yousaf announce?
Deposit return scheme delayed by 10 months
The Scottish Government’s flagship recycling policy, supported by the Scottish Greens, will be delayed for ten months, Yousaf said.
He told MSPs: “I remain committed to this Scheme as a way to increase recycling, reduce litter and help achieve our net zero ambitions.
“But we recognise the uncertainty that continues to be created as a result of the UK Government delaying the decision to exclude the scheme from the Internal Market Act. We had hoped for that decision this week – but it has not come.
“At the same time, I – and the Circular Economy Minister – have heard the concerns of business, particularly about the scheme’s readiness for launch this August.
“As a result, we will now delay the launch of the scheme to March 1, 2024. This provides 10 months for businesses to get ready.
“We will use that additional time to work with businesses, and Circularity Scotland, to address concerns with the scheme and ensure a successful launch next year.”
Peak train fares scrapped for six months
The First Minister announced a pilot scheme to scrap peak train fares for six months, from this October.
He told Holyrood: “We will also make our public transport system more accessible, available and affordable.
“As an important part of that, I can confirm today that the 6-month pilot to remove peak-time fares from ScotRail services will start in October of this year.
“The evidence from this pilot – and our wider Fair Fares review – will allow us to bring forward further targeted measures, from next year onwards, to ensure that the costs of transport are more fairly shared.”
What else did he announce?
- Electric car-charging stations in Scotland to double to 6,000 by 2026.
- Six new ferries are to be built in Scotland by end of this parliamentary term.
- Scottish schools to rejoin global league tables after leaving them a decade ago.
- Expansion of free childcare to one and two-year-olds will be speeded up.
More to follow.
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