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As the Scottish Parliament adjourned ahead of the May elections, political parties are preparing to present and debate their visions for Scotland’s future. Among the key issues under scrutiny is the governing SNP’s record during the past parliamentary term. John Swinney, the current party leader, remains confident in defending their achievements against criticism from rival parties.
Assessing the SNP’s accomplishments can be effectively done by revisiting the promises they made in their 2021 election manifesto. Over the course of this term, Scotland has witnessed significant changes within the SNP’s leadership: John Swinney succeeded Humza Yousaf, who had earlier taken over from Nicola Sturgeon. Additionally, the government formed a coalition with the Greens that was later dissolved, impacting some policy directions. Despite these shifts, core commitments, especially towards the NHS, have largely remained intact.
The SNP committed to increasing frontline health spending by 20% or £2.5 billion in 2021, a goal they have surpassed with a 28% rise, amounting to nearly £5 billion. Pay for NHS staff also saw an increase of around 4%, with actual pay rises exceeding this figure due to inflationary pressures. However, not every health initiative progressed smoothly. The proposed National Care Service, intended to standardize care across Scotland and eliminate regional disparities, faltered over the term. Insufficient detail and cost concerns alienated both opposition MSPs and key care providers including councils and unions.
Taxation policies did not all follow their initial plans. The manifesto had promised to freeze income tax rates and bands, but in contrast, the government raised the higher and top rates in 2023 and introduced a new “advanced rate” in 2024, alongside continued top rate increases. These changes were prompted by the financial pressures originating from the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent cost of living crisis. Swinney argued that flexibility in
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