Swinney Pledges GP Appointment Reform and… Read more
First Minister John Swinney has pledged to tackle the so-called “8am lottery” for GP appointments by delivering an additional 100,000 GP surgery appointments across NHS Scotland over the next year. This initiative was announced as part of the Scottish Government’s new programme for government, unveiled a year ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election.
Swinney said the extra appointments would focus on high-risk health factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, and smoking, aiming to prevent illness and reduce the pressure on same-day bookings. The plan involves providing GPs with additional funding to proactively call in patients for check-ups before their conditions worsen. However, the British Medical Association (BMA), representing doctors in Scotland, expressed skepticism. Dr. Iain Morrison of the BMA said that while such preventive care is valuable, the additional appointments represent only one day’s worth of capacity in a year. He argued that a deeper funding boost is needed to recruit more GPs and meet rising demand.
Beyond healthcare, Swinney’s programme includes several transport reforms. A permanent ban on peak-time rail fares will be introduced on nationalised ScotRail trains, aiming to save commuters money and cut emissions. The alcohol ban on trains, imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, will also be replaced with more targeted restrictions.
On public safety, the government is exploring measures to suspend or revoke free bus passes for those under 22 found guilty of anti-social behaviour. Tackling child poverty and the cost-of-living crisis were also named as top priorities. Swinney reaffirmed the government’s commitment to offsetting the UK’s two-child benefit cap in Scotland by April 2026, or sooner, and promised a new child poverty action plan covering 2026 to 2031.
In terms of economic development, a six-point export strategy was announced to support Scottish exporters in diversifying their markets. New funding will also be directed toward research projects and start-ups. Swinney committed to increasing investment in the Acorn carbon capture project if it gains approval from the UK government.
Tax policy will remain stable, with no new income tax bands or rate increases planned before the next election. A bill regulating non-surgical cosmetic procedures will be introduced.
Some proposed legislation was delayed or dropped. Plans to criminalise misogyny were postponed due to legal complexities, with protections to be included in existing hate crime laws instead. A ban on conversion therapy was also deferred, though Swinney said the Scottish government remains committed to working with the UK government on this issue.
Overall, Swinney described the plan as a “programme for a better Scotland,” aiming to address key challenges while preparing for the 2026 election.
