SNP MPs praise Humza Yousaf's Programme for Government, but admit it's hard 'when there's no money'

MPs were unsure how much could be achieved and what exactly the First Minister stands for.

Humza Yousaf unveiled his his first programme for government on Tuesday and declared it “unashamedly anti-poverty and pro-growth”.

In a wide ranging speech, the First Minister promised a consultation on banning the sale of single use vapes, as well as more help for those who suffer the “loss and trauma” of miscarriage. There were also pledges of more funding so staff working in both childcare and social care will receive a minimum of £12 an hour from April next year.

Watched on from Westminster, the general view among SNP MPs was positive, praising measures to tackle poverty and address the cost of living crisis. However, many MPs, including those who backed him for leader, also worried how much it would actually achieve. More than one raised concerns that the amount of money for measures such as the £15 million fund to unleash entrepreneurial talent aren’t enough to actually do anything.

First Minister Humza Yousaf's programme for government was welcomed by SNP MPs.

Douglas Chapman MP claimed there "much to commend" in the plans, specifically the “emphasis on working together as Team Scotland, with an ethos of partnership and collaboration”.

He told Scotland on Sunday: “It’s this kind of co-operative approach alongside a healthy dose of pragmatism, vision and action that has worked so well for our Nordic neighbours, both in their focus on the welfare of their citizens and their green transition as a response to climate change. As Team Scotland, overcoming traditional differences and finding a more collegiate approach means we can come together to find successful solutions on the epic challenges we face and boost out productivity and prosperity”.

The Dunfermline and West Fife was also excited about the focus on technology, with a commitment to publishing a framework for digital service transformation focusing on end-to-end services and strengthening digital identity, payment and cloud services.

He explained: “It also feeds into the First Minster’s interest in creating a range of high value clusters where academia, government, public and private sectors can come together in a supportive, engaged and co-operative environment to boost innovation and economic growth. This cluster model has worked well for our FinTech sector in Scotland for instance, one of only three European Clusters of Excellence and the first FinTech cluster in the UK to be recognised for this award. With the whole of Scotland in mind, I hope these new clusters will find homes across our nation, not just within our major cities but out to new cities and rural areas too – one particular new city springs to mind of course! I am looking forward to exploring options for Dunfermline as the new city’s citizens come together in a vision for its future”.

One senior SNP MP claimed the measures were “generally good”, but didn’t go far enough at a time the party was struggling to maintain its lead over Labour in Scotland.

He said: “This was a big chance to show what he believes in, Yousafism if you will, but I’m absolutely no clearer. I say this with no joy, because I need him to succeed, we’re the first bunch up to the electorate.“There’s some good stuff in there, school meals, pay for social workers, the consultation on vapes, it’s not the most pressing things but there’s some good stuff.

“But in terms of what he stands for, where he wants to take Scotland, I’m not sure you can even call it ‘continuity Sturgeon’, it’s just so underwhelming”.

However, they did not necessarily blame the First Minister for this, saying “in fairness to him, there’s no money”.

They added: “Public services are in dire need of structural change, which is hard to do when there’s no money and the party isn’t doing brilliantly in the polls.

“The Government just needs to do better”.

One MP who supported it completely was Levelling Up spokesperson Anum Qaisar, insisting the SNP were the only party offering real “hope”. However, the Airdrie and Shotts MP also admitted what was achievable was limited by devolution.

She said: “The cost of living crisis continues to harm people across Scotland, yet Westminster’s response is to stand idle – watching as more and more people are plunged into poverty.

“The First Minister’s Programme for Government takes a bold and ambitious approach that will protect working people and families from the threat of Westminster chaos, tackle poverty and grow Scotland’s economy.

“We are already seeing the innovative policy commitments to wellbeing, community and business principles that are being delivered using the limited powers of devolution.

“With Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands, the Scottish Government would be able to fully unleash our potential that for too long has been held back by endless Westminster damage and Brexit disaster”.The SNP MP and party Europe and EU Accession Spokesperson Alyn Smith also praised the package, specifically the Housing Bill that will see rent controls, new tenants rights, and new funding to provide homes for key workers in rural areas.

He said: “Extending the rights of renters is part of a wider effort as we see a broken housing system in both urban and rural Scotland, and the balance in power needs to be shifted back towards renters, tenants and visitors.

“It’s great to see us getting on with the job in these times when every pound is a prisoner, I think it's important we keep building the sort of country we want to see, and I hope other parties work going forwards because this is important.

“I support my colleagues of all parties in Holyrood who are putting in a shift for the people of Scotland”.

Another SNP MP said it had “pleasing announcements”, but there wasn’t much point getting carried away with it.

They said: “The rent stuff especially is good, especially when landlords are just exploiting anyone and everyone in our broken housing system.

“But I think people would prefer it if we just got on with the job, nobody in the real world actually follows these things and says ‘did you see the programme for Government’.