THE people of Scotland put their trust in the SNP last May and, as the Scottish Government, we have been working hard to repay that trust.
In our first year in office we have breathed new life into Scottish democracy, and delivered for our great public services.
Along the way we have faced some substantial challenges – as was clear from the Grangemouth industrial action. We have als
o had the Glasgow airport attack and the serious implications for rural Scotland of the foot-and-mouth outbreak south of the Border. All these things did not just challenge the government, they also challenged the people of Scotland – and they rose to the challenge.
These events demonstrated that if we work together and act together, Scotland can rise to any challenge.
In April, some of our key measures took effect – including freezing the council tax to deliver relief for hard-pressed households, cutting business rates to boost the economy and jobs, abolishing prescription charges to end the tax on ill health in this 60th anniversary year of the NHS, and scrapping the graduate endowment to restore free education in Scotland.
We have also saved vital accident and emergency units at Ayr and Monklands, abolished the tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges, and we are funding 1,000 more police officers in Scotland's communities.
And we have created the £10 million Saltire Prize – the biggest ever international innovation prize for marine renewables to capitalise on our massive potential for clean, green energy.
We will build on our record of delivery for the people of Scotland.
Our aim is to build a rich economy and a rich society through a partnership among the civic institutions of Scotland – business, government, the trade unions, our colleges and universities, our churches and voluntary sector– to help meet our shared ambitions.
As the SNP delivers good government in the devolved areas, and secures the trust of the people, we will build the case for Scotland to be governed equally well in all areas with independence.
Whilst Scotland is certainly not immune from global financial problems, there is no doubt that we have the skills, resources and opportunities to thrive and prosper.
Scotland has a bright future as an independent nation. The key democratic issue is the people's right to choose that future in a referendum.
In August, we launched the debate about Scotland's constitutional future. All parties in Scotland are now in favour of more responsibilities for the Scottish Parliament, polls show support for independence now edging ahead of the status quo – reversing a 15-point gap last summer – whilst the SNP continues to lead in the polls, too.
The SNP government always puts Scotland's interest first – we are working to meet the ambitions of the people, and putting our trust in the people to choose the nation's future. On the back of a solid year of policy delivery, we look forward with confidence in our country and its abilities – and to getting on with the job of government.
