Scotland to ‘phase out’ new petrol cars by 2032

● Ambitious programme with 16 bills includes move toward electric vehicles ● Public sector pay cap to be scrapped and support for a ban on smacking ● But SNP accused of being soft on justice with fewer criminals to be jailed

Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled plans to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2032 in a legislative programme that raised the prospect of income tax rises and a smacking ban.

The First Minister said it was her ambition to fast-track the shift towards electric cars eight years ahead of the UK government’s target when she launched a wide-ranging Programme for Government at Holyrood.

The UK government has pledged to ban new petrol and diesel vans and cars from 2040 in an attempt to cut pollution.

Although Holyrood does not have power over vehicle standards and taxation, Ms Sturgeon announced plans to encourage Scottish motorists to embrace electric and low emission cars. She said: “Our aim is for new petrol and diesel cars and vans to be phased out in Scotland by 2032, the end of the period covered

by our new Climate Change Plan and eight years ahead of the target set by the UK government.”

Ms Sturgeon said her plans were to “massively expand” electric charging points for cars as well as making the A9 Scotland’s first “fully electric-enabled” highway.

Over the next parliamentary year a total of 16 bills will be introduced as Ms Sturgeon seeks to answer critics, who claim her focus on Scottish independence has deflected attention from domestic policy.

A second independence referendum was mentioned only in passing in Ms Sturgeon’s speech, which signalled tax rises by suggesting it was time to discuss the “progressive” use of Holyrood’s tax powers. Also in her programme were controversial plans designed to discourage sheriffs from issuing jail sentences of up to one year – a move which the Tories said would see serious offenders escape prison.

Ms Sturgeon said presumption against three-month sentences would be increased to 12 months and the use of tagging offenders in the community would increase. Other

justice measures included raising the age of criminal responsibility from eight to 12.

In a move which will trigger fierce debate about the punishment of children, Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would not oppose Green MSP John Finnie’s member’s bill to outlaw smacking.

The Scottish Government’s stance means Mr Finnie’s proposal to end the physical punishment of children in Scotland will almost certainly be backed by parliament.

Addressing Holyrood on the first day after the summer recess, Ms Sturgeon confirmed education reforms to transfer more powers to headteachers and double childcare provision,andalsoannounced measures to improve the NHS and the economy. She confirmed plans to lift the 1 per cent cap on public sector pay and to introduce a “soft optout” organ donation scheme.

Turning to funding her programme, Ms Sturgeon said she would publish a paper looking at income tax options ahead of the Scottish budget.

“The time is right, in my view, to open a discussion about how responsible and progressive use of our tax powers could help build the kind of country we want to be – one with the highest quality public services, well-rewarded public servants, good support for business, a strong social contract and effective policies to tackle poverty and inequality,” she said.

Ms Sturgeon said that, given she led a minority government, she would treat discussions with other parties with “an open mind”. But with both Labour and the Greens supporting increased taxation, securing parliamentary support for an increase should be straightforward. In the past, the First Minister has said she believes in a 50p top rate of income tax and her speech indicated her desire that the higher paid should bear the brunt of any changes.

She said the Scottish Government would exercise the “utmost responsibility” in setting tax rates and would “not simply transfer the burden of austerity to the shoulders of those who can least afford it”.

Last night sources close to the First Minister said she would also examine how tax bands are arranged.

The prospect of tax rises were not welcomed by Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who warned that Ms Sturgeon had “opened the door” to tax rises.

Ms Davidson said: “Because of the new financial powers, Scotland needs to raise closer to what it spends. Dragging Scotland down with ever more punitive taxes is not the way to do this. The First Minister is opening the door on greater tax rises today.

“We say stop taking ever more money from the pockets of Scotland’s workers.”

The Conservatives, however, were pleased at Ms Sturgeon’s proposal to make free care available to those under the age of 65, particularly those with conditions like dementia and motor neurone disease.

Ms Sturgeon said she would introduce “Frank’s Law”, following a campaign in memory of the former Dundee United footballer who suffered from early onset dementia.

New social security powers would be behind a package of measures to tackle inequality, child poverty, end rough sleeping, reduce drug deaths and provide free sanitary protection to students.

The programme confirmed a public sector bid for the Scotrail franchise, a deposit return scheme for bottles and a Scottish Investment Bank under the leadership of Benny Higgins, CEO of Tesco bank.

There were also plans to pardon those convicted of homosexual activity before it became legal.