On the doorsteps during the Holyrood election campaign, I heard the same thing time and time again – people want to see improvements to our public services. 

The SNP made a clear commitment to public sector reform during the campaign, and this week set out an ambitious five-year programme to deliver the most radical shake up of public services in the history of our parliament.  

Looking at local government, the Scottish Government will work with MSPs, councils and other organisations to look at how our local authorities should work in the future before coming forward with a shared direction of reform at the end of the year.  

The demographic pressures facing Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, mean social care is under significant strain and reaching its limits. We need to deliver a system that is fit for the future, consistent, and delivers better outcomes for people and communities. With an ageing population, it is becoming increasingly more crucial that we make changes now in order to meet the growing demand for care. The PFG commits to working with councils, trade unions, health and care providers and other partners to build consensus around social care reform.

We want to see a stronger national health service. To do that, we will simplify the NHS by replacing the current 14 territorial Health Boards with two Strategic Health Boards. This will deliver more efficient use of resources across Scotland, freeing up more time and capacity for treatment, and improve patient access through more joined up care. In his statement, the First Minister stated his commitment to enabling bespoke solutions for our island communities including exploration of the Single Authority Model for those who choose it. 

At the heart of these proposals is a firm commitment to delivering better outcomes for the people who rely on our public services. I look forward to continuing my engagement with the Scottish Government to ensure the voices and experiences of my constituents right across the Highlands & Islands are reflected in this process of reform. 

Continuing to deliver on the manifesto and our ‘First 100 days’ commitments, last week the Scottish Government published the draft Referendum Bill. The draft Bill sets out the question, defines the franchise for the vote, and will include a date upon introduction. 

While the SNP Government is delivering on its promises to voters, the UK’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is less committed to respecting democracy. The new PM has embarked on a ‘listening tour’ of the UK, but so far, his visits to Scotland and Northern Ireland have amounted to little more than telling people that independence is ‘off limits’ and an Irish border poll is ‘off the table’. 

Different Prime Minister, same old story – the UK Government does not see the devolved nations as equal partners.

In May, the largest number of pro-independence MSPs in history voted to support the call for powers to hold a referendum on Scottish independence to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. Simply put – it is not for the Prime Minister to take that issue of the table when Scottish voters have put it firmly on the table. What is now needed is the UK Government to respect the voice of the Scottish people and Parliament and transfer the necessary powers. 

This is a regular column by SNP MSP Maree Todd. Highlands and Islands MSPs who wish to have a column in The Orkney News should email, news@theorkneynews.scot

Shake up of NHS Health Boards ‘rewiring a system of services designed for the last century’