EMPTY VOWS
SNP slammed for breaking promises on everything from kids’ bikes to care homes
The SNP has been accused of leaving a trail of broken election promises – exactly a year on from their return to Government.
Schemes to give free laptops or tablets to every child, bikes to the poorest kids and a plan to renew every playpark haven’t been delivered.
And completion of Anne’s Law to give visiting rights to families with loved ones in care homes – which First Minister Nicola Sturgeon promised after a Sunday Mail campaign – is still rumbling on.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “The SNP’s record in government is littered with broken promises.
“In the last year alone the pledge to upgrade every park has been abandoned, the promise to focus on recover y has been forgotten and chi ldren are sti l l waiting for the bikes and the laptops they were promised.”
The SNP vowed to spend £ 60million renewing every playpark in its manifesto. But months after the vote counci l leaders claimed the flagship policy had been “revised”.
A leaked document from council umbrella group Cosla reveals it told the Government £60million was not enough and raised the “impracticability” of the task. It said “compromise wording” was agreed which gave councils“flexibility” to determine where funds would be targeted.
In March 2021, the SNP pledged to “provide every child in Scotland with a device to get online, including a free internet connection and the support to use it”. But it emerged in December only one in 10 have been given. Deputy First Minister John Swinney made the commitment before the Holy rood election. Sturgeon said she was “extremely committed” to the scheme two months go.
But when pressed on how many had been delivered she told Education Committee convener Stephen Kerr: “I don’t have the precise number right now, I will get that for you.” The pledge to give free bikes to Scotland’s poorest kids has resulted i n just 998 being distributed, it emerged in February, via pilot schemes at a cost of £935,797. The SNP has promised to complete the scheme during this Parliamentary session, which ends in 2026.
Anne’s Law legislation would g ive designated fami ly members the same rights as staff to enter care homes – many of which continue to operate severe restrictions.
While government guidance has been implemented and is now widely followed, Anne’s Law legislation has not yet been passed by Holyrood.
Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie said: “From digital devices for students to refurbishing play parks, worker retraining to council tax reform, ministers make big promises when elections roll around and then ditch them as soon as the poll is in the rear view mirror.”
Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells said: “From failing to del iver on much- hyped freebies, to their f iasco at Ferguson Marine, the SNP have continual ly let down communities across Scotland.”
I f recent local election forecasts are accurate, the SNP is on course to win the backing of 44 per cent of first preference votes, up from 32 per cent in 2017. A Scottish Government spokeswoman sa id the criticism was a matter for the SNP.
The SNP were approached for comment.