Food price cap and public sector reform: Five things from the programme for government

MSPs are back in Holyrood, and what better way to start than with a programme for government?

This is John Swinney's opportunity to spell out his big vision for the next five years – what does he want to achieve? And what laws does he need to pass in order to make progress?

There's a lot of detail in this bit of parliamentary procedure. So here's a few key announcements made by the first minister.

There's been a £2 bus fare cap in the Highlands and islands since last year. From Monday, that pilot will be extended to the west of Scotland.

It means cheaper bus journeys for individuals, with the taxpayer subsidising the cost.

The prime minister is bringing this policy in for the whole of England from January. The first minister wants to have it apply to all of Scotland by 2031.

But there are a number of groups that already get free bus travel in Scotland – those under 22, over 60 and those with disabilities.

This was arguably the most memorable policy proposed in the run up to the Scottish election in May – capping the price of up to 50 food items in large supermarkets.

The first minister insists something has to be done to help people who are struggling with the weekly shop.

But producers and retailers are sounding alarm bells. They argue that we already have a competitive marketplace that keeps prices low. And they say this could actually drive up the price of groceries overall.

The document published alongside Swinney's speech confirmed there will be legislation to introduce "price ceilings on some essential food items".

It didn't get much of a mention in the first minister's speech this afternoon, but it's potentially the source of a big fight with the food industry and the UK government. Watch this space.

There could be big changes ahead when it comes to who delivers public services.

Starting with the NHS.

We currently have 14 health boards. Some cover huge geographic areas, such as NHS Highlands. Others are much more concentrated, such as NHS Fife.

The Scottish government wants to strip the number of health boards back to just two.

And there could be big changes to councils too. The first minister thinks some are too small and others are too big.

He's planning to spend three months looking at the issue before proposing reforms. But he's stressed that new economic powers could be given to "stronger, more strategic regions".

John Swinney wants to tackle an "epidemic" of violence against women and girls.

The Scottish government has been talking about a misogyny bill since 2022. And there was some unhappiness when misogyny wasn't included as part of Scotland's new hate crime laws in 2024.

It looks like John Swinney wants to get a law addressing this passed before 2031.

The government says that this will ensure "harassment and abuse based on misogyny is outlawed".

There are also proposals to recognise pregnancy as an aggravating factor in domestic abuse cases, and plans to provide more help for those leaving abusive partners.

What is a quango? Well it's a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation.

In other words a public body that's funded by the taxpayer and helps provide services, but it's not directly under government control.

For a long time, opposition parties have insisted that Scotland has too many. Swinney now seems to agree – he wants the number of them to be "substantially reduced".

Transport Scotland, who manage the transport system, will be brought into government. And various environmental bodies will become one organisation.

Ministers will look at other opportunities for mergers and reductions.

This is part of a larger package of "reform" of public services – which some opposition politicians would call "cuts" – aimed at addressing a £5bn shortfall looming at the end of this decade.