Thread by @McAllister1973

The First Minister today published the @scotgov Programme for Government setting out our plans, focused on tackling Covid-19 and supporting new, good, green jobs.

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In her statement to Parliament, the FM said: "Today’s programme is clear that suppressing COVID is our most immediate priority - and it will remain so for some time."

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"Put simply, if COVID runs rampant again, our economy will sustain even deeper, longer lasting damage.

"This Programme faces up to that inescapable fact.

"However, we will not simply hunker down and wait for the storm to pass.

"We can’t afford to do that."

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"We must end our contribution to climate change, improve biodiversity, invest in our infrastructure, make our public services fit for the future, harness the economic and social opportunities of new technology, make homelessness history, and lift children out of poverty."

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"We must treat the COVID challenge, not as a brake on our ambitions, but an accelerant.

"After all, if our response to the virus has taught us anything, it is that we can achieve progress more quickly than we thought possible."

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“A hospital was created in a matter of weeks. Armies of volunteers and public sector workers made sure the vulnerable had access to food and medicines. Rough sleepers were given places to stay. And unprecedented support for business was distributed quickly and effectively.”
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“We will always grieve the lives lost, and never forget our separation from loved ones.

“We are also being reminded of the resilience of our human spirit, the power of human compassion, and the ingenuity of human intellect.

“We must harness that for the future. "

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“This Programme sets out plans for a stronger, more resilient and sustainable economy - with a laser focus on creating new, good, green jobs."

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“It guarantees opportunities for young people - and refuses to accept that their generation will carry the economic scars of COVID into adulthood.”

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“It strengthens and reforms public services, including our NHS.

“And it takes the first step on the road to a National Care Service.”

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“It promotes equality and wellbeing, with decisive action on child poverty.

“At its heart is the new, game-changing Scottish Child Payment.”

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“While nothing can be ruled out, we want to do everything possible to keep COVID under control without another national lockdown.

The means building and supporting public health infrastructure that can break the chains of transmission and keep outbreaks contained.”

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“By the end of October, 11 new walk in testing centres will open across Scotland. Over the course of winter, this will rise to 22.”

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“Later this month, we will launch ‘Protect Scotland’, our new proximity tracing app.”

“The app will provide an additional means of notifying and giving advice if you’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive - even if you don’t know them and they don’t know you.”

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“Stopping the virus in its tracks is our priority. Our NHS is already restarting procedures that had to be paused.

“However, it is also maintaining hospital and ICU capacity to deal with COVID if necessary. That includes keeping the NHS Louisa Jordan open through winter.”

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“Keeping COVID under control is the responsibility of government. But we cannot do it alone.

"It needs a collective effort. We will only succeed if we all play our part.

“Do the right thing. Keep our country safe.

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"The health crisis has caused an economic crisis on a scale none of us have experienced before.

"We have an immediate obligation to protect jobs and help businesses survive.

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"The looming withdrawal of the furlough scheme risks a tsunami of redundancies.

"I am calling again on the UK to follow the lead of France and Germany and extend the Job Retention Scheme for a further 12 months"

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"This Programme also lays foundations for the future. It establishes a national mission to create new, high-quality, green jobs.

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"I can confirm that central to this, and central to our Programme, is a Youth Guarantee.

"A new partnership with Scotland’s employers - backed by £60 million of government investment - to guarantee everyone aged 16-24, a job, a place in education or a place in training.

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"But be in no doubt now - this Guarantee signals our absolute determination that youth unemployment will not be a legacy of this pandemic.

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"We are also earmarking £10 million to help employers recruit and retain apprentices. This will include incentives to take on apprentices who have been made redundant.

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"I can announce that, this autumn, we will launch the National Transition Training Fund.

"Backed by initial funding of £25 million, it will help up to 10,000 people of all ages retrain for jobs in growth sectors.

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"We will also double to £20 million our Flexible Workforce Development Fund, which helps employers address skills gaps.

"And we will establish a Green Jobs Fund - initially worth £100m - which I will say more about shortly.

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"COVID has brought about fundamental shifts in how people work.

"Greater flexibility over working patterns is important for health and wellbeing - and many businesses see benefits too.

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"We will therefore set up a new Centre for Workplace Transformation to look at how and where work takes place, and what support employees and businesses need to make this work.

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"We will increase our investment in infrastructure year on year, so that by the end of the next Parliament it will be £1.5 billion higher than last year.

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"This month we will publish our new national infrastructure investment plan - informed by the Infrastructure Commission - setting out the framework for £32 billion of infrastructure investment over the next five years.

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"Our £600 million R100 programme will make superfast broadband available to every home and business across the country.

"Scotland remains the only government in the UK to have guaranteed 100% access to superfast broadband.

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"We must also eliminate digital exclusion.

"During lockdown, working with the third sector, councils and Scotland’s tech industry, we established Connecting Scotland.

"It has provided iPads and Chromebooks – with internet connections - to people on low incomes.

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"We intend to expand the programme .

"By the end of 2021, Connecting Scotland will provide a device, unlimited data, and two years of digital support and training to 50,000 people who would otherwise be without digital access that the rest of us take for granted.

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"In recent years we have enhanced our international reputation as a centre for technology and data.

"However last week’s review by Mark Logan, Skyscanner’s former Chief Operating Officer, highlighted areas for urgent improvement.

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"His recommendations - if implemented - will be truly transformational.

"This Government accepts that challenge.

"I can confirm that we intend to implement the recommendations in full.

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"We will establish a network of tech incubators to mentor and train tech start-ups.

"We will create an ecosystem fund to help those start-ups succeed.

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"We will provide reskilling opportunities for people whose employment has been affected by COVID, so they can find new jobs in our digital industries. And we will work with the technology sector to deliver the recommendations on education, entrepreneurship and investment.
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"Our ambitions for a digital Scotland must go hand in hand with our ambitions for a greener Scotland.

"In just two months, Scotland was due to host COP26.

"That gathering has been postponed but the global challenge is more pressing than ever.

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"In the year ahead, we will make further progress towards Scotland becoming, by 2045, a net-zero emitter – ending forever our contribution to climate change.

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"Last year we set out the first phase of our Green New Deal, based on the principle that decarbonising Scotland is both a moral obligation and a significant economic and social opportunity.

"It committed an additional £2 billion of investment over the next parliament"

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"Today, we are setting out details of how £1.6 billion of that will be invested – for example by supporting green jobs, reprioritising road space for public transport use, planting trees, and transforming how we heat our buildings.

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"Our investment in decarbonising heat - which will in itself be more than £1.5bn over the next parliament - will help us improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel poverty, and ensure that in just over 20 years, heating will no longer be a source of greenhouse gas emissions.
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"We will also create a £100m Green Jobs Fund.

"Half will be dedicated to helping businesses grow to significantly increase employment in low carbon sectors.

"The other half will help businesses take advantage of public and private investment in the low carbon economy.

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"We will also help other industries become green.

"A £62 million Energy Transition Fund will help oil and gas businesses diversify – especially important for the North East of Scotland.

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"And I can confirm that we will invest a further £60 million to support the industrial and manufacturing sectors’ transition to net zero.

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"One of Scotland’s biggest industrial employers - and largest emitters - is Grangemouth. I can confirm that we will establish a Grangemouth Future Industry Board to support a Just Transition - promoting economic activity while advancing the move to a low-carbon future.

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"We will significantly increase peatland restoration – investing at least £250 million over the next decade to help meet our emissions targets, and support jobs in rural and remote areas.

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"I can also announce that we will launch, later this month, the first round of our Green Investment Portfolio – marketing more than £1 billion of low-carbon projects to investors around the world.

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"And, of course, the Scottish National Investment Bank will shortly open for business.

"Capitalised to the tune of £2 billion over the next decade, its primary mission will be to drive the transition to a net zero economy.

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"COVID has presented us with significant challenges. But these are being compounded - unnecessarily - by Brexit.

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"The UK Government’s decision not to seek an extension to the transition period - despite the economic crisis caused by Covid – will cause avoidable harm to many Scottish businesses.

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"I can therefore announce today that we will publish, before the end of this year - as an accompaniment to our Export Strategy - a new Inward Investment Plan with the aim of creating 100,000 high quality jobs over the next decade.

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"If this was a programme for government in an independent Scotland, it wouldn’t have to contemplate the damage of Brexit. Instead it could set out even more far reaching plans.

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"That is why, before the end of this Parliament, we will publish a draft Bill, setting out the proposed terms and timing of an independence referendum, as well as the proposed question that people will be asked in that referendum.

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"And then at next year’s election, we will make the case for Scotland to become an independent country, and seek a clear endorsement of Scotland’s right to choose our own future.

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"The rainbows that appeared in windows across Scotland earlier this year were an expression of hope in the face of adversity. They were also a tribute to the dedication of our health and care workers.

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"We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude, and that must be reflected in how we value and reward them.

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"We are already working with trade unions to agree the negotiation of a new pay award for 2021/22.

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"We also acknowledge the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of many frontline workers and will establish a mental health network, including a new Workforce Specialist Service, to provide confidential assessment and treatment for those working in the NHS.

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"We will continue to support the work of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme.

"And, in response to the Baroness Cumberlege review, commissioned as a result of concerns about mesh implants, I can announce that we will also establish a Patient Safety Commissioner.

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"Work to restart NHS services paused because of COVID - and to tackle the backlog of procedures - is already underway.

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"We are also expanding elective capacity through the National Elective Centre programme.

"The first of our new centres for elective surgery will open next month at the Golden Jubilee Hospital.

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"Construction will start shortly on the Highland Centre, and next year it will start on new centres in Grampian and Livingston and on the second phase of the Golden Jubilee.

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"A new National Cancer Recovery Plan will be published in the autumn to drive forward recovery and improvement of these vital services, and we will prioritise prompt detection of cancers through Early Diagnostic Centres.

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"Crucially, in the months ahead we will build on the rapid expansion of digital access to care that was achieved in response to COVID.

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"While we recognise that video consultations will not be appropriate for every patient or situation, I can confirm that we intend to move to the position where ‘Near Me’ is the default option for patient consultations.

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"Accident & Emergency were also transformed during Covid, and we will learn from that experience.

"A new 24/7 service operated by NHS 24, will help patients not in need of immediate emergency care, to access clinical assessments by phone or online before attending A&E.

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"We will also support the Pharmacy First initiative, which allows common ailments to be treated by community pharmacists.

"This is part of a wider set of reforms to community health services.

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"We will promote healthier and more active lifestyles for all.

"We will invest £500 million over the next five years to support active travel.

"This will help local authorities develop new walkways, reallocate road space, and increase access to bikes.

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"We will also implement low emission zones in our four biggest cities to improve air quality. The first of these has already been established in Glasgow, and the others will be operational by early 2022.

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"We will also work to encourage healthier eating, and take forward plans to tackle obesity and support healthy weight.

"And we will continue to tackle the harms caused by alcohol and tobacco.

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"We will also deliver on the key recommendations of the Drug Deaths Taskforce – for example, by tackling the stigma that too often prevents people seeking treatment and funding vital research into drug deaths in Scotland.

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"A central commitment in last year’s Programme for Government was a major reform and expansion of mental health services. This year’s programme continues that journey.

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"I can confirm, therefore, that we will expand the Distress Brief Interventions programme across Scotland.

"We will also work with health boards to retain the Mental Health Assessment Centres established during the pandemic.

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"And we will deliver the major expansion of mental health support for children and young people announced in last year’s Programme for Government.

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"The pandemic has reminded us of the importance of social care , and of the extraordinary professionalism, dedication and compassion of those who work in that sector. I can therefore announce the establishment of a comprehensive independent review of adult social care. "

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"The review will seek the views of those with direct experience of adult social care, and make recommendations for immediate improvements.

"However, more fundamentally, it will examine and set out options for the creation of a National Care Service.

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"The National Health Service was born out of the tragedy of World War 2.

"Let us resolve that we will build out of this COVID crisis, the lasting and positive legacy of a high quality, National Care Service.

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"We will continue to invest in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and in Police Scotland.

"I am extremely grateful to both of these emergency services for the work they have done to help the country through the COVID crisis.

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"In terms of the wider justice system, we will work with courts, the legal profession, and victims’ organisations to tackle the backlog of cases, which COVID has caused.

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"We will continue to promote and expand the use of community interventions as a more effective alternative to short term prison sentences.

"And we will progress plans to modernise the prison estate, prioritising replacements for HMP Barlinnie and HMP Inverness.

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"By the end of 2022, we will have delivered a new national women’s prison and two community custody units for women in Glasgow and Dundee - ensuring that the needs of women in our criminal justice system can be better addressed.

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"And we will introduce in this session of Parliament a new Domestic Abuse Bill. This will legislate for emergency protection orders to better safeguard those at immediate risk of domestic abuse.

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"That is one of 4 that we will introduce before the end of this term. The others are the Budget Bill, a Bill relating to medical and dentistry education at St Andrew’s University, and a Bill to incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.

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"There are 7 additional Bills already before Parliament, which will continue their progress in the weeks ahead.

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"They include the Defamation and Malicious Publications Bill, the Redress for Survivors of Historical Child Abuse Bill, the Heat Networks Bill, the Forensic Medical Services Bill and the Hate Crime & Public Order Bill.

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"We will continue to make ending homelessness a national priority and provide more support for new housing. We will update the Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan learning from the approaches taken during the pandemic. And we will significantly scale up Housing First
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"We will extend the protection against eviction for rent arrears until March of next year.

"However, I can announce that we will also establish a £10m Tenant Hardship Loan Fund, to support people struggling to pay their rent because of the pandemic

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"We will also continue to invest in new social and affordable housing.

"Before lockdown, we were on track to deliver to deliver 50,000 new affordable homes by the end of this parliament, 35,000 of them for social rent.

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"We are working with the construction sector to catch up and hit that target as soon as possible.

"That has been a £3 billion investment and we intend to expand on it.

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"We will publish a new 20 year vision for quality, zero carbon housing with access to services, transport links and green space. For social housing, we will set new standards on carbon emissions, digital infrastructure, and access to outdoor space and room for home working.
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"The concept of the 20 minute neighbourhood has attracted global interest. The idea is that people in any part of a town or city should be able to find shops, green space, public services and leisure facilities within 20 minutes’ walk of a good affordable home.

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"We will work with local authorities and others to turn that vision into reality through our policies on transport, regeneration, housing and the environment.

"And to support it, we will invest £275 million in community-led regeneration and town-centre revitalisation.

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"In November, our new social security system will reach its most significant milestone, when it starts taking applications for the new Scottish Child Payment.

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"The first payments will be in the pockets of eligible families in February next year.

"Despite the 6 month disruption of COVID, that is just two months later than planned.

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"The Scottish Child Payment will give eligible families £10 a week for each child, initially for those under the age of six and then when fully implemented up to age 16.

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"Together with support available through the Best Start Grant, the Scottish Child Payment will be truly game changing in our fight against child poverty.

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"During the winter we will also start making payments through the child winter heating assistance program – providing £200 per child for families of severely disabled children.

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"The Child Payment symbolises our determination to ensure that every child has the best start in life. This generation have experienced a year unlike anything we could have anticipated. We have a duty to ensure that the impact doesn’t disadvantage them in years to come.

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"In schools, closing the attainment gap remains our defining aim, but we mustn’t underestimate the impact that closure of schools will have had on it.

"We have already confirmed pupil equity funding of £130 million for the next financial year.

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"And we have allocated an additional £80 million this year for the recruitment of additional teachers and support staff to help young people catch up in their education.

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"We have already established a review of the awarding of SQA qualifications and we will ensure a broader consideration of our approach to assessments and qualifications in future.

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"I can also confirm that we will fund additional university places to ensure no young person loses out on higher education as a result of issues with this year’s qualifications.

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"And having already met our interim target, we will continue to work toward the objective of closing the gap in access to university.

"We aim that by 2030, at least 20% of university entrants will be from our 20% most deprived communities.

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"I also want today to renew my personal promise to children and young people with experience of care, and recommit to the full implementation of the independent Care Review’s recommendations.

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"We will also respond to the Black Lives Matter movement and the global resistance to continued racial injustice.

"We will also work to educate young people on our past, and on the need to challenge racial injustice in the present.

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"And we will sponsor an independent expert group to make recommendations on how to raise awareness of Scotland’s role in colonialism, slavery and historic injustice, and how it manifests itself in society today.

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"I can confirm that we will shortly introduce one of the most ambitious pieces of legislation in the 20 year history of devolution. We will - to the maximum possible - fully and directly incorporate into Scots law the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

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"This will mean public authorities - including the Scottish Government - will be required by law to act in ways compatible with the Convention’s requirements to recognise, respect and be accountable for the rights of children in what we do.

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"It would be easy to focus on nothing but COVID – and of course the effort to suppress it will occupy us for some time yet.

"But we should also seize this moment to imagine and start to build a better future.

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"That is why this Programme for Government, as well as tackling COVID, renews our commitment to end, once and for all, Scotland’s contribution to climate change.

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"It acknowledges the social solidarity of recent months, and aspires to a more equal country.

"It invests in the skills and technologies people will need for the future.

"It lays plans for homes and neighbourhoods which we hope can be cherished for generations.

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"It commits to the vision of a National Care Service, to match the post-war National Health Service.

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"it seeks to ensure, above all, that COVID will not be the defining experience for this current generation of young people.

"It aims instead to improve their education, enhance their life chances and guarantee their human rights.

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"This is a Programme for Government which prepares us for what may well be a difficult winter.

"But it also encourages us to lift our eyes, find hope in our hearts, and plan for brighter days ahead.

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You can find full details of the PFG at: gov.scot/programme-for-…

In the meantime, here's a useful list of some of the key policies.

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