JOHN Swinney was last night accused of coming up with “tired old promises” and “more of the same” in his plans for government.
And he was blasted for a “betrayal” of his main priority of eradicating child poverty as he ditched a pledge of free school meals to all P6 and P7 kids.
The First Minister launched his programme in a speech to MSPs in which he admitted his government couldn’t “continue to deliver public services as we did in years past”.
But he insisted reforms would “promote positive outcomes, prioritise prevention and reduce demand for future services.”
The SNP leader said: “With good will, and with a relentless focus on delivering for the people of Scotland, I believe the resources available to us can be used to help us eradicate child poverty, build prosperity, improve our public services and play our part in protecting the planet.”
But plans to roll out free school meals to all pupils in P6 and P7 had now been dropped entirely due to cash constraints.
Only those who receive the Scottish Child Payment will be eligible.
All pupils in P1-5 are currently entitled to free meals.
Other policies ditched include plans for a Human Rights Bill, and there are doubts over a pledge to deliver council tax reform by 2026.
He is trying to make it impossible for his government to fail by promising nothing
Douglas Ross
SNP ministers have also admitted missing a 2024 target to end the courts backlog for less serious cases.
Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross mocked the lack of new ideas from Mr Swinney, saying: “Has he really been waiting 25 years to deliver that speech?
“What we got was tired old promises that should have been delivered years ago.
“In so many areas we see any suggestion of bold action watered down or abandoned.
“He is trying to make it impossible for his government to fail by promising nothing.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar blasted the programme as the “same sticking plaster approach” and the “same level of denial” from the SNP’s third leader in as many years.
He said: “We were promised a new focus, a new direction, a new plan but we have more of the same.
“This programme isn’t up to the scale of the challenges facing Scotland.”
Roz Foyer, general secretary of the STUC, blasted the axing of the free school meal pledge.
She hit out: “It’s a complete betrayal of our pupils.
“Workers cannot afford 18 months of managed decline from the Scottish Government.”
Fiona King, of Save the Children, said: “It shows no new policies to accelerate progress towards ending child poverty.
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“While it’s welcome to see eradication of child poverty is a top priority for the First Minister, we are not seeing the bold action that backs this up.”
And Chris Birt, of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said the plans to tackle child poverty “fall well short”.
PLEDGE ON PROBES
SCANDAL-hit ministers could face faster and tougher probes in a code of conduct shake-up announced yesterday.
Independent advisers will now get power to launch investigations into allegations of potential breaches if they deem it necessary.
Previously, the First Minister would need to grant permission first.
John Swinney said: “My ministers and I are in public service.
“I want my government to set the highest standard of propriety and integrity.”
It comes after MSPs raised concerns about ministers avoiding scrutiny.
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