Not a day to waste: New FM is urged into action

Experts: Pressing crises cannot wait

The new first minister was told they must hit the ground running yesterday as civic leaders warned Scotland cannot afford to drift.

They said issues from the NHS and cost of living crisis to the country’s roads and courts demand to be addressed urgently and warned the next SNP leader’s first 100 days will set the tone for their time in Bute House.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and former community safety minister Ash Regan are vying to take over from Nicola Sturgeon and become the next SNP leader and Scotland’s sixth first minister. Yesterday, the trio revealed their immediate priorities if victorious when the result of the ballot of SNP members is announced tomorrow after a five-week leadership race.

Forbes said she would immediately review how the Scottish Government can support families and firms as the cost of living crisis continues. She said: “We will renew our commitment to eradicate poverty by ensuring every team in every department of every public body sees it has a role to tackle poverty.”

Yousaf said he would also work to support Scots struggling with soaring costs of energy and household bills, while Regan said she would set out a road map for independence on her first day.

The campaign to elect a new SNP leader will end tomorrow when voting by 72,000 party members closes at midday before the winner is declared two hours later at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

The new SNP leader will then be elected first minister at Holyrood on Tuesday, subject to MSPS’ approval, and then sworn

POST MATCH: IN THE MIDDLE Scott Mctominay, left, celebrates scoring the first of his two late goals with Scotland teammate Lyndon Dykes yesterday as a packed Hampden enjoys a winning start to the national team’s Euros campaign with a 3-0 victory over Cyprus. Scotland head coach Steve Clarke said: “We spoke a lot about getting off to a good start.” Things get tougher on Tuesday, however, when top seeds Spain will provide the opposition at the national stadium.

Angus Gunn embraces Norwich City team-mate, Grant Hanley, after they had combined to keep a clean sheet