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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
[email protected] | Xander Elliards

John Swinney 'bluntly' rejects claim SNP plans are 'about centralisation of power'

John Swinney SNP NHS Scotland Scottish Labour
First Minister John Swinney said that he could not yet put a specific figure on how many public sector jobs would be cut amid planned reforms (Image: PA)

SCOTTISH Government plans for a sweeping remodel of state apparatus are the “complete opposite” of the centralisation of power, John Swinney has said.

The First Minister was speaking to the BBC’s Sunday Show when he was challenged on plans in his Programme for Government, which was published last week and said the SNP would seek to reduce the number of regional NHS health boards from 14 to two, merge various government agencies to cut the number of quangos, and consult on a redesign of local council structures.

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