Sturgeon says agenda marks contrast with ‘meltdown’

First minister makes comparison with Westminster

Combating the global climate emergency, strengthening the economy and building a fairer country are central to the Scottish Government’s plans for the next year, according to Nicola Sturgeon.

Ahead of the unveiling of the Programme for Government today, the first minister said it highlights the contrast between the Scottish Parliament and the “meltdown” at Westminster.

The document, titled Protecting Scotland’s Future, will include 14 new Bills as well as a raft of non-legislative announcements.

“The plans I set out today will continue our efforts to combat the global climate emergency, while also taking steps to strengthen our economy and help build a fairer country,” the first minister said.

“The UK is in the middle of a constitutional crisis, unprecedented in peacetime as we face being driven off the cliff of a no-deal Brexit by an out-ofcontrol Tory government.

“The Scottish Government and the SNP will do everything in our power to try to prevent that outcome.”

Scottish Conservative chief whip Maurice Golden said the first minister had failed to deliver on previous promises made.

“Every year Nicola Sturgeon sets out a range of warm-worded promises and every year she fails to deliver,” he said.

“This is what happens when a nationalist government obsesses about breaking up Britain at the cost of the everyday priorities that should be its concern.”

Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie suggested Ms Sturgeon should commit to a delivering an emergency response to combat the climate crisis.

“The first minister declared a climate emergency six months ago but there has been little in the way of an emergency response since,” he said.

Picture: Getty. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.