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