From rates to cotton buds, the proposals at a glance

THE key announcements in the Programme for Government and Nicola Sturgeon’s speech included:

ECONOMY

£7billion extra capital investment in schools, hospitals, housing, transport and low carbon using new profit-sharing finance schemes such as Welsh mutual investment model, where the private sector is paid to build public projects.

Controversial revaluations of business rates every three years following backlash at huge increases last year after the first revaluation since 2010.

Legislation for a new National Investment bank in the coming year.

Three main contracts to extend fast broadband to everyone in Scotland, to be awarded within 12 months.

£20million of new funding over three years to boost Scottish exports, including a new national export plan by next spring.

JUSTICE

Some prisoners could be handed the vote, with a new consultation to be launched to consider the issue.

Some reforms of the parole system, including more information and support for victims and families when prisoners are released, while the range of offences where victims can make an impact statement to the courts will be expanded.

Plans for new protective orders which can bar perpetrators of domestic abuse from returning home will be published in a public consultation.

Finn’s Law to be introduced, which will increase the available sentences for the worst forms of animal cruelty, including attacks on police dogs.

The presumption against short-term sentences will be extended from three months to 12 months.

New drug-driving limit will be introduced and come into force in 2019.

BREXIT

Scottish Government to pay any ‘settled status’ fees for EU citizens to stay in Scotland after Brexit. EU citizens to get the vote in Scottish and council elections.

EDUCATION

Headteachers’ charter giving more power to school heads on curriculum, staffing and budgets by the end of this year.

Legislation to end rates relief for private schools to be introduced in the next year.

£16million of extra funding for college bursaries and university grants

ENVIRONMENT

Ban on plastic-stemmed cotton buds and the implementation of a deposit return scheme for bottles within the next year.

Consultation on plans for a publicly owned energy company next year.

BENEFITS

New ‘Best Start’ grant by the end of this year. First carer’s allowance to be paid next week.

HEALTH

New waiting times improvement plan later this month to tackle poor performance

£250million of new funding over five years to boost mental health provision, including more counsellors and nurses in schools and mental health training for teachers.