#ProgrammeForGovernment
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spokes.org.uk
#ProgrammeForGovernment Scotland

🤔 Is cash for 🚲🚶👩‍🦼 up or down?

Full story--> www.spokes.org.uk/2026/10/prog...

@edi.bike @chdot.bsky.social @edfoc.bsky.social @keithirving.bsky.social @jennygilruthmsp.bsky.social @paulsweeney.bsky.social @patrickharvie.bsky.social @sannedd.bsky.social @sw20.info
start of spokes article... Programme for Bike-Reduced Government The Scottish Government’s latest annual Programme for Government policy document (PfG, September 2026) has only one mention of active travel – a graphic which is one of the most misleading we have encountered for a long time Highly misleading graphic from the 2026 PfG Anyone looking at the PfG graphic would come away believing that Scottish Government investment in active travel was on a major rising trajectory – and particularly cycling, given the bike logo. In fact, funding budgeted purely for active travel has been on a declining trend since the 24/25 financial year. In fact, funding budgeted purely for active travel has been on a declining trend since the 24/25 financial year. A perhaps more realistic understanding Ministers gaily quote the figures in the (green) PfG graphic, possibly not even aware that the presentation hides the very different reality shown in our own (red) interpretation above. What you can do The draft Scottish budget for next financial year, 27/28, is currently due to be announced in the Scottish Parliament on 3 December. Please consider emailing your MSPs, of all parties, asking them to ensure that funding for active travel rises in the budget* and explaining why this matters to you. For SNP MSPs, ask them to pass your concerns to the Ministers responsible for the budget and for Transport, and to let you know the outcome For MSPs from other parties, ask them to ensure that their own shadow budgets include an increased allocation to active travel, and to let you know what it will say If you wish, also ask your MSPs that bus infrastructure funding should have its own budget line rather than being conflated with active travel, so that increases in one cannot be used by Ministers to disguise cuts in the other, as happens at present Send us a copy of your email and any useful replies. * Spokes, along with many other bodies, including public health organisations, argues that 10% of the transport budget should be allocated to active travel, as Edinburgh Council already does. Indeed, this was also Scottish Government policy from 2021 until scrapped in 2024, as explained above. Cover page of the PfG, showing First Minister John Swinney taking a selfie with school pupils
October 30, 2026 at 7:40 PM
childreninscotland.bsky.social
The latest in our #ProgrammeforGovernment series has landed, and this time we're tackling public service reform.

Read the full story now: childreninscotland.org.uk/news-article...
Promotional graphic with a teal background featuring the headline: “BLOG: Programme for Government 2026-31: Public Service Reform” in large white text. A black-and-white portrait of a person wearing a button-up shirt appears in the lower-right corner. Minimal line-art graphic elements are included in the background.
September 29, 2026 at 10:13 AM
childreninscotland.bsky.social
Latest blog📣 Programme for Government 2026-31: Whole Family Support

Read now: childreninscotland.org.uk/news-article...

The latest in our blog series on the Scottish Government's #ProgrammeforGovernment, Roisín Laing looks specifically at #WholeFamilySupport.
Promotional graphic with a teal gradient background and white text reading: “BLOG: Programme for Government 2026–31: Whole Family Support.” A black-and-white portrait of a person appears in the lower-right corner. The design includes abstract white line shapes across the background.
September 22, 2026 at 9:53 AM
thirdforcenews.bsky.social
In this month’s magazine we take a deep dive into sector responses to the #ScottishGovernment’s #ProgrammeForGovernment and hears from
@shelterscotland.bsky.social
@unitetheunion.bsky.social
@alliancescot.bsky.social
@onekind.org

Read it all here: buff.ly/gZMa7sv
September 21, 2026 at 11:01 AM
thirdforcenews.bsky.social
In this month’s magazine we take a deep dive into sector responses to the #ScottishGovernment’s #ProgrammeForGovernment and hears from
@childrenfirst.bsky.social
@sccscot.bsky.social
@foescot.bsky.social
@homelessnetwork.scot

Read it all here: buff.ly/gZMa7sv
September 18, 2026 at 11:01 AM
thirdforcenews.bsky.social
In this month’s magazine we take a deep dive into sector responses to the #ScottishGovernment’s #ProgrammeForGovernment and hears from
@povertyalliance.org
@oxfamscotland.bsky.social
@endfuelpoverty.bsky.social
@cpagscotland.bsky.social
@independentage.bsky.social

Read it all here: buff.ly/gZMa7sv
September 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM
uofgpolicy.bsky.social
Listen to Peter MacMahon on our #UofGSpotlight podcast, on the long-warned need to reforms to public services in Scotland 🎧 🗣️

Tune in to the full episode on Scotland's Programme for Government 🔗
www.uofgspotlight.com

#ProgrammeForGovernment #PublicPolicy #Scotland #Politics
September 17, 2026 at 10:07 AM
aberlourcharity.bsky.social
This afternoon MSPs at Scot Parl will debate how best to fulfil @johnswinney.bsky.social ambition to “eradicate child poverty”. Read our briefing for MSPs on what The Scottish Government must do to meet that ambition: www.aberlour.org.uk/publications

#ProgrammeForGovernment #EndChildPoverty
September 3, 2026 at 1:26 PM
bmascotland.bsky.social
📻ICYMI

You can also listen back to @driainkennedy.bsky.social discussing the #ProgrammeforGovernment announcement on BBC Radion Scotland - from around 14:40

👇

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Lunchtime Live - 02/09/2026 - BBC Sounds
News updates from Scotland and beyond, plus all your lunchtime sport, travel and weather.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 3, 2026 at 2:42 PM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
The Scottish Government's #ProgrammeForGovernment was published on Tuesday.

It featured warm words on tackling Scotland's alcohol problem, but no specifics.

Read our thoughts. 🔽

www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk/news/news/un...
News | Unless Scottish Government takes action to reduce alcohol consumption and prevent population harm, it is undermining its own ambition on prevention.
Prevention was one of the much-hyped themes of this Programme for Government. With an ageing population and a growing prevalence of long-term conditions, our increasing need for the NHS has become un...
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
September 3, 2026 at 2:10 PM
phoebecat.bsky.social
Not heard a peep but then I no longer listen to the English media. It’s pure disdain for the Scottish people and no longer any effort to disguise. #ScottishGovernment #ProgrammeForGovernment
September 2, 2026 at 12:14 PM
phoebecat.bsky.social
You can watch the debate on Parliament TV and also on Broadcasting Scotland. #scottishgovernment #ProgrammeForGovernment 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿♥️
September 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM
phoebecat.bsky.social
Who is the swivelly-eyed yoon sitting behind Russell Finlay looking utterly ashamed to be there while Finlay tries desperately to find relevance? 🤣🤣🤣 #ProgrammeforGovernment #ScottishGovernment
September 2, 2026 at 11:57 AM
bmascotland.bsky.social
📢‘Structural reform must not come at the expense of the immediate need to address the challenges the NHS faces’

BMA Scotland responds to Scottish Government
#ProgrammeforGovernment #PFG announcement

Read the full comment from @driainkennedy.bsky.social
👇

www.bma.org.uk/bma-media-ce...
BMA Scotland: Programme for Government reaction - BMA media centre - BMA
Press release from BMA Scotland
www.bma.org.uk
September 2, 2026 at 1:28 PM
humanistsociety.bsky.social
Scotland's #ProgrammeForGovernment does not take any new steps towards ending conversion practices in Scotland. John Swinney has instead reiterated his aim to introduce legislation in tandem with Westminster, despite experts such as @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social pointing out huge flaws in the UK bill.
Person recoiling as a suited hand offers a booklet titled "CONVERSION PRACTICES," with an overlaid headline declaring the response to the new programme for government: "OUR RESPONSE TO THE NEW PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT? END CONVERSION PRACTICES NOW!"
September 2, 2026 at 9:31 AM
scotrewilding.bsky.social
Today’s Programme for Government is a key test of the Scottish Government's ambition to restore lost or critically endangered species – while supporting the communities who live alongside them. Here are four things we’re calling for.

#RewildingNation #ProgrammeForGovernment
September 1, 2026 at 10:30 AM
carolynl.bsky.social
A disappointing lack of focus on the catastrophe that is Scotland's relationship with alcohol in today's #ProgrammeforGovernment. There's no point calling it a public health emergency without announcing any emergency action. We need a strong alcohol harm prevention plan published ASAP.
alcoholfocus.bsky.social Alcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · Sep 1
The First Minister has today announced the Scottish Government's #ProgrammeForGovernment 2026-2031

Read our response🔽
Image of Carolyn Lochhead, AFS CEO, with text reading: "The Scottish Government is right to describe the impact of alcohol on Scotland as a public health emergency. But this Programme for Government doesn’t back up these words with action proportionate to the scale of damage to Scotland's health, economy and wellbeing. Scotland has been a leader with population-wide prevention measures like minimum unit pricing (MUP) and the lack of ambition to build on this legacy is frustrating. To truly tackle Scotland’s catastrophic relationship with alcohol, we need to put prevention at the heart of the health agenda. The Scottish Government must introduce automatic uprating of MUP, so its impact is not eroded by inflation. Alongside this, they must reform the licensing system and take decisive action to restrict alcohol marketing.”
September 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM
thessp.bsky.social
A RESPONSE TO THE SNP'S UNINSPIRING 'PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT'

SSP Co-Spokesperson Colin Fox on the SNP's Programme for Governemnt.

What does Swinney's Programme offer for working people? The short answer: next to nothing.

#SNP #Swinney #ProgrammeForGovernment #Scotland #Socialist #Scotland #SSP
COLIN FOX: SWINNEY'S LACKLUSTRE PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT FAILS TO INSPIRE AGAIN » Scottish Socialist Party
SSP Co-Spokesperson Colin Fox issues statement on the SNP’s ‘Programme for Government’. With the National Health Service in Scotland facing the worst […]
scottishsocialistparty.org
September 1, 2026 at 4:38 PM
humanistsociety.bsky.social
The Scottish government announces its Programme for Government today.

This is the perfect time to reiterate our calls for the current parliamentary term.

www.humanism.scot/2026/05/09/t...

#ScottishGovernment #LGBTRights #ReligiousObservance #DecriminaliseAbortion #ProgrammeForGovernment
Formal portrait of a bald man in glasses wearing a suit with a Scottish flag behind him, overlaid with a quote urging MSPs to protect abortion rights, oppose harmful conversion practices against LGBTQ+ people, and push parliament to act.
September 1, 2026 at 9:31 AM
alcoholfocus.bsky.social
The First Minister has today announced the Scottish Government's #ProgrammeForGovernment 2026-2031

Read our response🔽
Image of Carolyn Lochhead, AFS CEO, with text reading: "The Scottish Government is right to describe the impact of alcohol on Scotland as a public health emergency. But this Programme for Government doesn’t back up these words with action proportionate to the scale of damage to Scotland's health, economy and wellbeing. Scotland has been a leader with population-wide prevention measures like minimum unit pricing (MUP) and the lack of ambition to build on this legacy is frustrating. To truly tackle Scotland’s catastrophic relationship with alcohol, we need to put prevention at the heart of the health agenda. The Scottish Government must introduce automatic uprating of MUP, so its impact is not eroded by inflation. Alongside this, they must reform the licensing system and take decisive action to restrict alcohol marketing.”
September 1, 2026 at 3:50 PM
clairedalyjazz.bsky.social
All Eyes on Scotland's First Minister as he announces the #ProgrammeforGovernment to the #ScottishParliment this afternoon. Let's hope that the 90% of people in Scotland who care about climate get something to cheer about #ClimateAction #NatureRestoration
wwfscotland.bsky.social WWF Scotland @wwfscotland.bsky.social · Sep 1
90% of people in Scotland care about climate change.*

As Scot Gov prepares its Programme for Government, we’re calling for action: protect nature, tackle climate change & build a safer future for people & wildlife. 🌍

*Polling commissioned by Uplift & undertaken by Diffley Partnerships
September 1, 2026 at 12:46 PM
childreninscotland.bsky.social
As we begin to digest today’s announced #ProgrammeforGovernment, it is timely to restate our calls in three priority areas of our Manifesto. We will be taking the time to understand how these areas are being progressed by the Scottish Government and will feed back to our members and network soon.
Graphic titled “Whole Family Support” with a red gradient background and a faint image of the Scottish Parliament chamber. Text highlights the importance of holistic care, early intervention, community-based support, and sustainable funding for effective whole-family support. Graphic titled “Public Service Reform” with a blue gradient background and a faint image of the Scottish Parliament chamber. Text states that Scotland has strong children's rights legislation, including GIRFEC, The Promise and UNCRC incorporation, and calls for renewed public service reform and fair funding to address implementation gaps. Graphic titled “Additional Support for Learning” with a teal gradient background and a faint image of the Scottish Parliament chamber. Text calls for increased investment in specialist provision for children with additional support needs, renewal of the ASL Action Plan, and improvements to placement decisions, attendance, behaviour and relationships.
September 1, 2026 at 3:27 PM
weallscotland.bsky.social
Today's #ProgrammeForGovernment falls short of what we need to create a #WellbeingEconomy in Scotland where everyone can thrive.

Read our full response: weallscotland.org/post/pfg2025
It is deeply concerning to see once again no mention of the Wellbeing Economy in the Programme for Government. We need to move away from short term thinking and sticking plaster solutions. We need an economy that will improve the wellbeing of people in Scotland, now and in the future.
May 6, 2025 at 4:23 PM
naturepower.bsky.social
We cannot forget that underpinning all the ambitions in today's #Scotland #ProgrammeForGovernment is a healthy, functioning natural environment. Great to see commitments on #deer & #naturerestoration. The potential for progress is immense...
May 6, 2025 at 3:55 PM
virginmedianews.bsky.social
Fianna Fáil is set to hold a special Ard Fheis in Dublin this evening to vote on the Programme for Government, which was agreed earlier this week. 

#FiannaFáil #ProgrammeForGovernment #VMNews
January 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM