Peak ScotRail fares to be scrapped 'for good' by SNP government

John Swinney scrapped peak rail fares “for good” and vowed to offer an extra 100,000 GP appointments, as he used his set-piece Programme for Government to try to wrongfoot Labour ahead of next year’s Holyrood election.

SNP ministers have renegotiated GP contracts with a “new enhanced payment”, meaning capacity will be created for those with markers of cardiovascular treatment to be proactively contacted - meaning at least 100,000 fewer patients will be forced to phone at 8am for an appointment and be seen before conditions escalate.

The move has scuppered Anas Sarwar’s key NHS pledge to end the 8am rush for appointments - while the Scottish Labour leader had also previously called for peak rail fares to be reinstated.

The First Minister has also promised “no further divergence from the UK on income tax” until next year’s election, with a vow that “ the majority of Scottish taxpayers continue to pay less income tax than those in the rest of the UK”.

Scotrail has had to pay out an eye-watering £2.5 million in compensation to passengers for delayed or cancelled services in the three years since the SNP Scottish Government nationalised the company, says Sue Webber

In a hint that the SNP is poised to revisit its stuttering independence campaign at next year’s election, Mr Swinney has committed to “publish a further paper setting out the economic benefits that independence can bring for Scotland” in the next 12 months.

But Mr Swinney is facing criticism for a lack of legislation in his last Programme for Government before voters go to the polls in one year’s time - with just six new Bills to be lodged at Holyrood, despite the First Minister claiming at the weekend his plans would be “radical”.

READ MORE: Programme for Government: John Swinney ramps up pressure on Labour with pre-election manifesto

Alongside the annual Budget Bill, a Children and Young People (Care) Bill will attempt to solidify the Scottish Government's “Promise” to children in care, while the contentious Heat in Buildings Bill, which critics say has been watered down, will be introduced.

Plans have also been confirmed for a Digital Assets Bill which will clarify the status of digital assets as property in Scots private law, while a Contract (Formation and Remedies) Bill will attempt to implement recommendations to reform aspects of contract law.

SNP ministers also aim to lodge a Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures Bill that will regulate the delivery of certain non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

NHS placed at front of pitch to voters

But Mr Swinney’s key announcements included a vow to provide an extra 100,000 GP appointments and the permanent ending of peak rail fares and relaxing an alcohol ban on trains.

First Minister John Swinney | Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Mr Swinney told MSPs his Government has made “progress” on improving the NHS, but admitted “there is more, much more to do”.

He added that “a renewed and stronger NHS is at the very heart of this Programme for Government”.

The First Minister said: “While many people’s experience of their GP is excellent, for many others there is deep frustration over difficulty making appointments and what has been described as the 8am lottery.

“This is of central importance to me. That is why we are acting to reduce pressure and increase capacity in the system, so that it is easier for people to get the care they need, when they need it.

READ MORE: Programme for Government: John Swinney accused of stealing Labour's vow to end GP 8am rush

“That includes in the year ahead a further expansion of Pharmacy First services – with pharmacies being the right first port of call for many ailments. But it also means the delivery of an extra 100,000 appointments in GP surgeries focused on key risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and smoking.”

But the BMA Scotland union, that represents doctors, has warned that compared to the 650,000 GP appointments offered a week in Scotland, the extra 100,000 would only add up to one working day of extra capacity a year.

Speaking to the BBC, the BMA’s Dr Iain Morrison said: "We need that investment direct into general practice in order to boost our staffing numbers to handle the record level of demand we are experiencing."

Peak rail fares permanently scrapped

Mr Swinney also U-turned on the Scottish Government’s decision to re-introduce peak rail fares in October, while a ban on alcohol consumption on trains will be relaxed.

The First Minister said: “Last year, in the face of severe budget pressures, we took the difficult decision to end the peak fares pilot on our railways.

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“But now, given the work we have done to get Scotland’s finances in a stronger position, and hearing also the calls from commuters, from climate activists and from the business community, I can confirm that, from 1 September this year, peak rail fares in Scotland will be scrapped for good.”

Mr Swinney insisted the move “will put more money in people’s pockets and mean less CO2 is pumped into our skies”, adding that it was “a better deal for people because they live in Scotland”.

A six-month trial to remove peak rail fares was first introduced in October 2023 and it was extended twice after a series of winter storms reduced travel on the railways.

The pilot scheme had cost the government £40 million, but it was scrapped at the end of September 2024 as ministers said it had not encouraged enough people to make the switch to the train.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said a 10 per cent increase in passenger numbers would have been needed to make the policy self-financing, but the pilot scheme had only increased numbers by 6.8 per cent.

The Scottish Government has also confirmed the controversial Covid-era blanket ban on alcohol consumption on ScotRail trains will come to an end, although timed and location restrictions are expected to be put in place.

Protection against ‘economic storms’

In response to what Mr Swinney branded a “looming economic challenge” the Programme for Government includes a vow to “boost planning capacity and reduce barriers to delivery” in a move to try to remove red tape and speed up processes.

He said: “For the sake of Scottish jobs, for the sake of protecting people’s quality of life, we are taking new steps, accelerating action, to ensure Scotland’s economy is better placed to ride the economic storms.”

But Mr Swinney is facing criticism from political opponents for his "flimsy" Programme for Government.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay added that the suite of policies will “do little to restore public trust” in the Scottish Government.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay delivering his speech at the Novotel in Edinburgh.Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

He said: “John Swinney has today promised to increase GP numbers. But this same promise was made by the SNP eight years ago – and it has not been kept. That’s why no one will believe him this time.

“John Swinney today commits to stop turning the screw on Scottish taxpayers, but he’s previously broken a similar promise not to raise taxes.

“That’s why he should have taken this opportunity to reduce the painful tax burden that he has inflicted on Scots.

“People desperately want to see politicians focus on key issues that impact their lives, yet John Swinney says he’s going to use even more taxpayers’ money to try to find an economic case for independence. He’s not going to find one – because there isn’t one.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar branded the announcements “embarrassing”.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar | Jane Barlow/PA Wire

He added: “The SNP has no plan to fix our broken NHS, no plan to raise standards in our schools and no plan to end the scourge of 10,000 children left in temporary accommodation.

“The next Scottish Parliament election is all about delivering the new direction that Scotland needs.

“The choice is between an SNP Government running down the clock or new leadership and a new direction with Scottish Labour.”