Delivering for Scotland’s young people
by We are committed to delivering an inclusive Scotland, where every young person has the opportunity to reach their potential and fully contribute to society.
More young people are leaving school and going into positive destinations; youth unemployment is the lowest since records began, and we’re making it easier for people to buy their first home.
Here’s just some of what we’ve achieved for young people in government.
1. Youth unemployment is at its lowest rate since records began and is the second lowest in the EU. To go further we’re introducing a new Jobs Grant for 16-24 year olds returning to work after six months unemployment.
2. Free tuition has been re-introduced and protected, saving students in Scotland up to £27,000 compared to the cost of studying in England.
3. A record number of Scots have been supported into university, and young people from the most deprived areas are now more likely to study go into higher education. But there’s much still to do. That’s why we’re taking action to ensure that by 2030 students from the 20 per cent most deprived backgrounds represent 20 per cent of university entrants.
4. Around 200,000 young people have had the opportunity to undertake a Modern Apprenticeship since 2007. By 2020, a further 30,000 opportunities will be available every year.
5. Under the SNP over 60,000 affordable homes have been completed. And we’ve supported 22,000 households into homeownership – almost three quarters of them under 35.
6. 16 and 17 year olds now have the right to vote in Scottish Parliament and local government elections.
7. The number of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) psychology posts has more than doubled since 2007. And spending on mental health services in Scotland will exceed £1 billion for the first time in 2017-18.
8. The number of graduates from Scottish universities going into work or further study is among the highest in the UK. And graduates from Scottish universities are earning more than their counterparts in other UK nations too.
9. We expect all new guidance and promoted teachers – and eventually all teachers – to undertake training on equality, so they are confident in tackling prejudice-based bullying. And we will provide additional funding where required.