John Swinney declared he is “only just getting started” as Scotland’s First Minister, as he announced plans to tackle the cost-of-living crisis by capping the price of essential food if his party wins the Holyrood election.
With exactly three weeks to go to polling day on May 7, the SNP leader said rising costs faced by households are the “defining issue of this election”.
He accused the Westminster Government of a “complete failure to get a grip” of the problem, and promised “bold action” from the SNP if it is re-elected for a record fifth consecutive term at Holyrood.
Announcing plans to set a maximum price for essential food items in the shops, Mr Swinney told supporters: “Things have got so tough it is now impacting upon our nation’s nutrition.”
He said that under the current devolution arrangement, he cannot normally set prices at the till – but Holyrood has powers over public health and he plans to use them to put a price cap on certain items.
These “fair food prices” could cover “everyday items that make up a decent diet”, he said, such as bread, milk, cheese, eggs, rice and chicken.
He added that the plan shows his Government is working on “reducing the price of the weekly shop” and “putting more money in people’s pockets”.
The policy was announced as part of the SNP manifesto for the election, with Mr Swinney also promising a £2 cap on bus fares across Scotland.
On health – another key issue in the Holyrood election – he promised action to change how the NHS works, saying there would be a “refocusing” of resources on “keeping people out of hospital” and “shifting the balance of care”.
The First Minister also pledged growing the economy would be at the “very heart” of his government, promising to create a major projects office, which would “cut through bureaucracy and speed up investment” for “nationally significant projects”.
Speaking about the move Mr Swinney said: “It will get decisions taken quickly and make sure Scotland grabs the critical investment opportunities out there.”
Unveiling the manifesto, he told voters in Scotland he offers “experienced, principled, reliable leadership” during “troubling and uncertain times” when “the world is riven by conflict”.
Speaking to party supporters in Glasgow, Mr Swinney said: “My entire adult life has been spent in the service of this country. I have given that calling my everything.
“Today, I offer to do more. To serve more.”
The SNP leader has set his sights on winning a majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament, insisting this will be key in forcing Westminster to grant a second vote on independence.
The SNP has only won an overall majority once before – but Mr Swinney said if Scots back his party on both the constituency and regional sections of the Holyrood ballot, it can do so again.
The First Minister’s message to voters was clear, telling them supporting the SNP is “a vote to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands, for a referendum on independence”.
He added that would be a “referendum that I intend to win”, claiming independence could allow Scotland to “reclaim” its place in the European Union and also bring down energy bills.
Our manifesto brings people together and unashamedly talks Scotland up. It is a manifesto for all of Scotland.
— The SNP (@theSNP) April 16, 2026
That’s what you get if you vote SNP on 7th May. A government on your side and a First Minister that will always put Scotland first. pic.twitter.com/I3U1zvYIj6
The SNP manifesto was published as a poll for the Daily Telegraph put Mr Swinney’s party on course for a majority at Holyrood after May 7.
The multilevel regression and post-stratification (MRP) poll by JL Partners suggested the SNP could win 67 seats, up from the 64 the party won in 2021.
Labour meanwhile were forecast to come in second with 19 MSPs – down from the 22 at the last election – with Reform UK predicted to come in third, with 17 MSPs.
The Tories were forecast to return 10 MSPs – down from 31 five years ago – with both the Liberal Democrats and the Greens expected to increase their tally to seven and nine MSPs respectively.
But hitting out at the SNP manifesto Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie insisted: “After 20 years of failure, Scotland knows SNP promises are not worth the paper they are written on.
“The SNP still hasn’t delivered on the pledges in their last manifesto – or their 2007 one for that matter.”
She added: “If you want to know what dishonest John and the SNP will really deliver, look at their record – our NHS in crisis, schools declining, crime rising, 10,000 children homeless, and roads covered in potholes.”
Scottish Liberal Democrats deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain MP was also critical, saying: “What a snoozefest. The SNP’s manifesto is a drab document produced by a party that’s run out of steam after two decades spent failing to deliver for Scotland.
“Besides their increasingly desperate and dubious claims about independence, the SNP have nothing to offer besides the same sort of implausible freebies they’ve promised and then failed to deliver time and again.”
