WIREDGOV

The Programme for Government sets out the actions we will take in the coming year and beyond. It includes the legislative programme for the next parliamentary year.

Executive Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed almost everything. Like many countries around the world, we endured a lockdown that has deeply impacted our public services, our economy and our people. It's changed the way we work and socialise and called into question what we once knew as normal.

What began as a public health crisis has become a global economic crisis - growth has stalled, businesses have had to close, and there have been many job losses with the likelihood of more to come. The pandemic has also highlighted, and in many cases worsened, the inequalities in our society with those with the least before the crisis often worst affected by both the health and economic impacts.

But it has also showed us what we are capable of when we come together as a country. We came together to support those who most needed help and support, to innovate in our businesses, and protect jobs, and to redesign how we work, travel and access public services. Delivering on this Programme for Government will require the same collective effort to tackle the fundamental challenges in our society and to ensure that rather than return to business as usual, we use this moment to create the fairer, greener and wealthier country that we all want to see.

The Scottish Government is committed to achieving net zero by 2045, reducing child poverty to less than 10% of children living in relative poverty by 2030, and to building a wellbeing economy. These commitments are central to this Programme for Government. Progress will only be possible through collaboration and a collective determination to succeed. And it will only be possible if we continue to suppress - and preferably eliminate - the virus.

This Programme for Government sets out the Scottish Government's response to these connected challenges and opportunities. It commits to:

• a national mission to create new jobs, good jobs and green jobs - with a particular focus on our young people, supporting retraining and investing in our Green New Deal to tackle climate change
• promoting lifelong health and wellbeing - by tackling COVID-19, remobilising and reforming the NHS and social care and tackling health inequalities
• promoting equality and helping our young people fulfil their potential

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