A momentous year for politics in Scotland - Ian Murray
The beginning of a new year is a moment to reflect on all that has happened over the past year and the year to come.
First, the most important part of my job: my work here in Edinburgh South. It’s been a busy year for me and my constituency team. We dealt with over 12,900 cases this year, assisting constituents on a wide range of matters.
My long-running Build Better Places campaign to improve local infrastructure in south Edinburgh continues. We had some success this year with the opening of a safe walking route along Gilmerton Station Road.
My related campaign on improving GP services in Edinburgh South has also had some progress, with NHS Lothian promising a major new facility at the new Liberton High School site and confirming that nearly all GP practices in the area are taking new patients.
It’s also been the first full calendar year of the UK Labour government, and plenty has been achieved, though there’s still more to do.
The Employment Rights Act, passed in December, delivers the biggest upgrade to working rights in a generation, banning exploitative zero-hours contracts and fire-and-rehire and strengthening sick pay.
The Spending Review in June confirmed £10 billion more in investment in Scotland’s renewal, including £750m for the new national supercomputer at Edinburgh University, billions for GB Energy and new funding for the Acorn carbon capture and storage project in the north-east.
The Budget in November delivered big increases to the minimum wage and further inflation busting increases in the State Pension.
On top of the increases in the 2024 Budget, this represents a real historic boost to the incomes of pensioners, those on low incomes and carers since Labour came to power.
This comes in addition to decisive action to cut energy bills, with reforms to levies set to save families an average of £150 a year on their bills.
On top of that, we abolished the two child cap, which is projected to lift 450,000 children across the UK out of poverty. That’s vital relief for families on the cost of living.
There is still a lot more to do to tackle the cost of living, but the plan is working, with inflation, interest rates and mortgages down, and growth and wages up.
On the international stage, major trade deals have been secured with the EU, US, Korea and India, while the £10bn UK-Norway frigates deal supports both shipbuilding on the Clyde and a security partnership with a key ally.
Additionally, the UK will rejoin the Erasmus programme, a significant step forward for both our relationship with our European partners and opportunities for young people. We've reset our relationship with the EU to deepen our relationship.
Looking ahead, 2026 is set to be a momentous year for politics here in Scotland, where Scots have the opportunity to turn the page on 19 years of stagnation and decline under the SNP government.
Scotland urgently needs a government that will focus on getting the basics right: fixing potholes, boosting attainment in schools and bringing down NHS waiting lists. In May, Scots can deliver that by voting for Scottish Labour.