Summary

  • The first minister outlines plans for the year ahead, with the "immediate priority" being to "lead Scotland out of the pandemic"

  • Nicola Sturgeon says her plans will include investment and reform of the country's public services, including the setting up of a National Care Service

  • She adds that it will "arguably" be the most significant public service reform since the creation of the NHS more than 70 years ago

  • The first minister "reaffirms" her government's commitment to a second independence referendum

  • Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says that "front and centre" of the Scottish government's plan is another referendum - he says that is a priority which is "all wrong"

  • "Short on big ideas" was the verdict of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar - he said the government's 2021-22 plans were "not good enough, not bold enough and will not do enough"

  • Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton says the country needs "new hope" but the government's plan is "just re-heated and re-badged"

  1. Welcomepublished at 10:13 British Summer Time 7 September 2021

    Good afternoon and welcome to our live page coverage of Nicola Sturgeon's Programme for Government statement, on 7 September 2021.