Salmond sets out Scottish government’s programme
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond lays out the SNP government’s new programme at Holyrood.
A referendum bill on Scottish independence is not included, but Mr Salmond said this would happen in the second half of the five-year parliamentary term. The main pieces of legislation are:
Police and fire reform
Single police and fire services will be created, replacing the eight police and eight fire services that exist at the moment.
Alcohol minimum pricing
A minimum price for a unit of alcohol will be reintroduced after being defeated in the last parliament.
Training for young people
All 16 to 19-year-olds will be offered a learning or training place if they are not already in a job,education or apprenticeship.
Sectarianism
Legislation will be introduced to toughen penalties for football-related sectarian bigotry and violence.
The SNP was elected four months ago with a majority of seats at Holyrood, which means it can pass new laws without having to win opposition backing.
Mr Salmond told MSPs: “After detailed consideration of all the evidence available, we are persuaded that a single police service and a single fire and rescue service are the right options. This is the only way to maintain the number of officers in every community, right across Scotland.
“It will sustain and improve the delivery of local services while giving all parts of Scotland access to national expertise and assets whenever and wherever they are needed.”
Labour and the Conservatives said they supported the creation of a single police force.
On the plans for 16 to 19-year-olds, the First Minister said: “No young person should go through school only to become an unemployment statistic at the age of 16. We will not allow that in Scotland.”
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