& what it really means

HEALTH This is what Scotland’s GPs wanted, writes Hamish Macdonell. They have been warning of a recruitment crisis in GP services unless the Scottish Government gives primary care (GPs and community services) 11 per cent of the frontline NHS budget – the amount promised by the UK Government for England. Although Miss Sturgeon has agreed to the GPs’ demands, this does not mean more money. She had already announced a £2 billion NHS increase over the next four years. The £500 million will come from that. But while GPs will get what they want, other parts of the NHS may not see as big an increase as they had hoped for.

EDUCATION This was the most significant announcement made by the First Minister because it could mean the effective privatisation of council-funded childcare. At the moment, councils control all childcare which is paid for by the Government. Miss Sturgeon has now announced she will give this power to parents. This marks another stage in what is becoming a bitter battle between councils and the Government and yet another example of Miss Sturgeon backing parent power over town halls.

ECONOMY This is massively symbolic because it represents the Scottish Government expanding its influence abroad. However, it is unlikely to do much to boost Scottish exports. This announcement was as much about telling Europe that the Scottish Government wants to retain its links with the Continent as it was about actually helping manufacturers. It was really a way of Miss Sturgeon saying to Westminster: ‘I’m going to do things my way in Europe – and you can’t stop me.’