Covid gives us a chance for change
Last week the First Minister announced her Programme for Government for the upcoming parliamentary session.
I know I’m biased, but I think the SNP’s plan for the year ahead and this government’s focus on supporting us and getting us through the worst of times as best as we can.
It only emphasises why Scotland needs to be an independent country, in control of her own finances and decisions.
Covid-19 is the single greatest public health crisis of our lifetime and has had a profound impact on not only our health, but on our economy and society – and indeed our whole way of life.
As these are definitely not normal times, the First Minister did not announce a normal Programme for Government.
Instead she’s taken the necessary steps to use this year to help rebuild our economy into one that is stronger, fairer and more sustainable.
While none of us can deny that the past six months have been difficult, we have a great opportunity now not simply to go back to how things were, but to address many of the deep seated challenges our country faces.
That is something I think this Programme for Government does and I can’t wait to see how we all reap the rewards of schemes designed to make sure no one gets left behind.
One of the biggest announcements last week was the introduction of the Scottish Youth Guarantee to ensure every young person has the opportunity to access work, education, or training.
The new partnership between the Scottish Government and Scotland’s employers is backed by £60 million of government investment and will guarantee everyone aged between 16 and 24 in Paisley can get work, education or training.
Over £30 million will be distributed through local authorities to help local partnerships deliver employability support for young people, with an additional £10 million each to create additional opportunities in colleges, to Developing the Young Workforce, the Scottish Government’s internationally recognised Youth Employment Strategy, and to support pathways to apprenticeships and on the job training.
Additionally, in autumn the Scottish Government will also launch the National Transition Training Fund, which is backed by initial funding of £25 million and will help up to 10,000 people of all ages retrain for jobs in various growth sectors.
The fund will offer a fast track approach to equipping people with the skills they need to enter into sectors where we are most confident of a strong recovery.
Importantly, those eligible for funding will be in complete control of their training plan but will be supported for the duration by careers advisors with knowledge of regional job opportunities so as to maximise success and job retention.
These are only two of the great initiatives set up to support employment and help boost the economy, but it is vitally important to remember that none of this will be possible unless we continue to successfully suppress Covid-19.
The local restrictions we’ve seen reintroduced in Glasgow,
East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire should serve as a warning to us here in Paisley that coronavirus still poses a real threat and can at any point spread throughout our community once again if we don’t diligently follow the rules and act responsibly.
Finally – and perhaps just as importantly – the First Minister announced plans to outline a second independence referendum in a draft bill at Holyrood, with the SNP then set to “make the case” for this plan in the election campaign next year.
If the last six months have proved anything, it’s that Scotland can absolutely weather any crisis and handle the subsequent consequences on her own as the leadership and guidance set out by Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government has without a doubt been more proactive, clear, and effective than that of Boris and his cronies down at Westminster.
With the furlough scheme still set to end in October and plunge millions into hardship, I can only imagine what we could’ve achieved as an independent nation in control of her own finances.
But if commitments like those outlined in the Programme for Government putting people front and centre are anything to go by, I know without a doubt Scotland would be better off in charge of her own destiny – and I can’t wait to help make that happen.