First Minister John Swinney has declared that significant public service reform will be central to his government's agenda for the year ahead. He also emphasized a personal commitment to addressing violence against women and girls, citing a "long-running issue within Scottish society" that requires strong leadership.
Swinney stated his determination to tackle the rise in cases involving violence against women and girls, particularly those that emerged over the summer months. He expressed that while the government has implemented various measures, recent events have underscored the need for "the strongest possible personal leadership" to confront these issues. The First Minister asserted that violence against women and girls is unacceptable and that a key focus of his administration will be to "change the behavior of men and boys in our society."
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In parallel, the government is proposing measures to address the cost of living crisis, including a potential price cap on certain food and drink items sold in large supermarkets. This proposal has drawn criticism, with 23 organizations, representing retail, food and drink production, manufacturing, and distribution sectors in Scotland, jointly writing to Swinney urging him to abandon the plan.
Swinney defended the proposal, acknowledging that many individuals are struggling with grocery costs. He stated the aim is to implement a practical solution by introducing an "affordable price cap on a limited number of items within our supermarkets." He added that the government intends to consult on the proposal to ensure its effectiveness and that the legislation achieves the desired outcomes.