PROTECTING SCOTLAND’S FUTURE The Government’s Programme for Scotland 2019-20 © Crown copyright 2019 This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected]. Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. This publication is available at www.gov.scot Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at The Scottish Government St Andrew’s House Edinburgh EH1 3DG ISBN: 978-1-83960-127-9 Photography © Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scotland is Now and Visit Scotland/Kenny Lam, Damian Shields, Peter Dibdin, Stuart Brunton Published by The Scottish Government, September 2019 Produced for The Scottish Government by APS Group Scotland, 21 Tennant Street, Edinburgh EH6 5NA PPDAS616850 (09/19) Protecting Scotland’s Future Contents 01 Contents Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION FROM THE FIRST MINISTER 02 ENDING SCOTLAND’S CONTRIBUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE 34 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 09 SCOTLAND’S FUTURE AND OUR PLACE 22 IN EUROPE Chapter 2 THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME 2019-20 28 A SUCCESSFUL, FAIR AND GREEN ECONOMY 64 © Crown copyright 2019 Chapter 3 This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- IMPROVING OUTCOMES THROUGH government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National OUR PUBLIC SERVICES 96 Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected]. Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to Chapter 4 obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. This publication is available at www.gov.scot COMMUNITIES WHERE EVERYONE IS VALUED, PROTECTED AND Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at RESPECTED 130 The Scottish Government St Andrew’s House Edinburgh EH1 3DG ISBN: 978-1-83960-127-9 Photography © Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scotland is Now and Visit Scotland/Kenny Lam, Damian Shields, Peter Dibdin, Stuart Brunton Published by The Scottish Government, September 2019 Produced for The Scottish Government by APS Group Scotland, 21 Tennant Street, Edinburgh EH6 5NA PPDAS616850 (09/19) 02 Protecting Scotland’s Future Introduction from the First Minister INTRODUCTION FROM THE FIRST MINISTER We are currently living through unprecedented and deeply troubling times for Scotland and the UK. At a time when we are wrestling with global challenges such as the climate emergency, we also face a constitutional emergency as the current UK Government undermines democracy by suspending the UK Parliament and taking Scotland out of the European Union (EU) against our will and possibly without a deal. The people of Scotland voted to remain in the EU and this Government has consistently opposed Brexit. A ‘no deal’ Brexit would create unprecedented challenges for the government and for the wider country – it would put jobs, livelihoods and communities at risk. Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP First Minister of Scotland As a Government our opposition to a ‘no deal’ Brexit is clear, but we are obliged to prepare for one. That means that if the UK Government does not step back from the brink, some elements of this Programme may have to be postponed while we deal with a mess that is not of Scotland’s making. We will seek to minimise any impact on the day‑to‑day activity of government but compromises may be required. However, this will not in any way diminish our ambitions for Scotland and this Programme sets those out. The current political and constitutional crisis also raises the importance of securing the right for Scotland to have a say over our own future. As the decisions of the UK Government increasingly go against the interests and democratic wishes of the people of Scotland, it is more important than ever that we complete the necessary steps to hold a referendum on independence. Protecting Scotland’s Future Introduction from the First Minister 03 In April this year, I acknowledged that we faced a The coming together of these fundamental reviews climate emergency. Over this summer, the evidence of government activity will mean changes in the of that has been clear – we have seen the kind of way that we travel, live and grow our economy. extreme weather events across Europe that will By embracing these changes, we can reduce our become more and more common if we fail to rise to emissions, become a driver of innovation and this global challenge. The consequences of global provide support to our communities to navigate climate change will be severe. While in some parts these changes. of the world its effects are existential, we will also feel the impact here at home. We must act. Of course, climate change is happening as we speak and it is something that we must all This Programme for Government sets out some of contribute to tackling now. In advance of the the next steps on Scotland’s journey to net zero outcome of these reviews, this Programme for emissions and raises our ambition in light of the Government contains the first package of additional emergency we face. We are leading the world measures that we will take in response to the in setting challenging targets, but we must also climate emergency. These measures cut across redouble our efforts to meet them. all parts of government but they are by no means the final word – instead they should be seen as a Tackling climate change also creates opportunities. down‑payment on our commitment to ensure that We can lead the way in showing how our society Scotland ends its contribution to global climate and economy can transition to net zero in a way change by 2045 at the latest. that creates economic opportunity and provides the assurance of rewarding work for all. Amongst other elements this embryonic Scottish Green Deal includes commitments to: If we are able to proceed as planned, the ■■ invest over £500 million in improved bus priority coming parliamentary year will see several key infrastructure to tackle the impacts of congestion milestones on the path to setting out Scotland’s on bus services and raise bus usage comprehensive response to the climate emergency. ■■ put the Highlands and Islands on a path to The Infrastructure Commission will publish its becoming the world’s first net zero aviation recommendations in advance of the Capital region by 2040, including a commitment to zero Spending Review. This will give us the opportunity emissions from Highland and Islands Airports to bring a low or zero carbon focus to all of our Limited’s operations. We will begin trials of low or future infrastructure investments. Along with the zero emission flights in 2021 renewal of the National Planning Framework, our ■■ reduce emissions from Scotland’s railways future public infrastructure programme will lay to zero by 2035 through the continued the foundations on which we will build low and electrification of the network, the procurement zero carbon homes, communities and industries. of battery‑powered trains and exploration of the The National Transport Strategy, to be published potential of hydrogen‑powered trains in Scotland later this year, will redefine investment priorities, ■■ provide an additional £17 million to support the putting sustainable transport at the heart of demand for ultra‑low emission vehicles (ULEVs) decision‑making. In the year ahead, we will also through our Low Carbon Transport Loan scheme, publish an updated Climate Change Plan to take while expanding the scheme to include used full account of the advice of the UK Committee on electric vehicles Climate Change. 04 Protecting Scotland’s Future Introduction from the First Minister ■■ ensure that from 2024, all new homes must The Scottish Government has put tough targets to use renewable or low carbon heat. This will be reduce child poverty in law and this year we will achieved through a fundamental overhaul in take bold steps to meet them. building regulations that will increase energy efficiency and the efficiency of construction from We will bring forward regulations so that we can 2021, and will be accompanied by a £30 million introduce our new Scottish Child Payment of £10 investment in renewable heat projects per week. ■■ put the transition to net zero at the heart of the Scottish National Investment Bank’s work This Programme for Government commits to ■■ unlock additional resource for emissions‑reducing commencing payments to eligible families with investment through a Green Growth Accelerator – children under the age of six by Christmas 2020 referred to by the Climate Emergency Response – ahead of the schedule we set out before the Group (CERG) as a ‘Green City Deal’ – combining Summer Recess. The Scottish Child Payment will public and private investment to transform cities be paid to all eligible families with children up to and regions 16 years of age by 2022. This game‑changing ■■ bring to market a £3 billion portfolio of projects, investment will put over £500 a year, for each including renewables, waste and construction, child, in the pockets of families who need it the ready for green finance investment most and has the potential to lift 30,000 children ■■ support Scotland’s people to gain the skills out of poverty. they need to share the rewards of these new approaches to investment through a Climate The year ahead will also see the full expansion of Emergency Skills Action Plan early learning and childcare to 30 hours per week (1140 hours a year) for all 3 and 4 year olds, and Protecting the environment and ensuring a for 2 year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds.