Humza Yousaf has said that tackling poverty across Scotland will be his number one focus as First Minister.
It’s a laudable aim and it must be hoped that this can be a cross-party effort at the Scottish Parliament. Point-scoring should not be a consideration when it comes to improving the lives of ordinary Scots.
Big ideas and fresh thinking are required at a time public finances are already severely over-stretched and public services at breaking point. Yousaf has hinted he is preparing to ditch some of the previous policy commitments made by his predecessor.
The new SNP leader will today convene a national anti-poverty summit in Edinburgh. Yousaf has told the Record about a new fund available for after-school clubs in disadvantaged areas.
With the country facing a recruitment crisis in many sectors, it’s vital that more people are encouraged back into work. Providing better childcare opportunities is one way of doing that.
It’s a welcome first step from his new administration. The challenge is now finding even bigger and bolder ways to tackle endemic poverty.
Warm words are not enough when the challenges facing the country are so great. Yousaf’s predecessor as First Minister discovered how hard it is to tackle an issue that blights every part of the country.
While Nicola Sturgeon chalked some policy victories, campaigners argue more could have been done during her time in office. The new FM wants to be judged on his record on this issue. There is no time for him to waste.
Staffing crises
No one should be surprised that people are leaving the nursing profession in their droves.
Poor working conditions, rising workloads and pay hammered by inflation have all forced workers to quit. The demand for NHS services is at an all time high and will only continue to rise due to our ageing society.
It’s long been clear that large-scale reform is needed to ensure our health service is fit for both patients and staff. But it’s not just the NHS that is struggling.
A report suggests that almost half of teachers are considering quitting in the coming years. They complain of never-ending paperwork, rising stress levels and unrealistic demands being placed on them.
Recruitment is a major factor in both professions. There are too few people to handle the rising workloads.
The UK and Scottish Governments better think fast on how to fix it. They can’t say they weren’t warned.
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