fact_checkEVIDENCE-BASED ACCOUNTABILITY

Manifesto Tracker — Scottish National Party

Every major commitment from the 2024 manifesto, tracked against real progress. Updated as news breaks — no spin, just status.

Labour Party Conservative Party Reform UK Liberal Democrats Scottish National Party Green Party Plaid Cymru Democratic Unionist Party Sinn Féin

PROMISES TRACKED

STATUS BREAKDOWN

Delivered

8 · 57%

In Progress

1 · 7%

Blocked

2 · 14%

Under Debate

2 · 14%

Not Started

1 · 7%

Oppose Trident renewal based from Scotland — blocked (0%)

UK Government has no plans to relocate Trident from Faslane; this remains a long-standing SNP policy position with no movement.

Campaign for a second Scottish independence referendum — blocked (5%)

UK Government has not granted authority for a further referendum; the matter remains a live point of contention between Holyrood and Westminster.

Keep university tuition free for Scottish students — delivered (100%)

Free tuition for Scottish students has remained in place throughout SNP government.

Cut Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions — delivered (90%)

Scotland's emissions have been reduced by close to half since the 1990 baseline, per the party's published record, though the very final stretch toward net zero remains ongoing.

Increase NHS Scotland staffing — delivered (100%)

NHS Scotland staffing has increased by more than 31,300 since the SNP came to office, per the party's own published figures.

Keep prescriptions free in Scotland — delivered (100%)

Prescription charges have been abolished in Scotland since 2011 and remain free.

Keep hospital car parking free — delivered (100%)

Hospital car parking charges were abolished and remain free in Scotland.

Provide free bus travel for young and older people — delivered (100%)

Free bus travel for under-22s and over-60s/eligible groups remains in place.

Provide free personal and nursing care — delivered (100%)

Free personal and nursing care remains in place, with payment rates increased 29.5% since April 2020.

Introduce and maintain the Scottish Child Payment — delivered (100%)

The Scottish Child Payment has been introduced and remains in place.

Cut NHS waiting lists by 100,000 with £300m investment — in-progress (55%)

Investment has been made and waiting times are reported to be improving, though the full 100,000 reduction has not yet been independently confirmed as complete.

Restore Scottish membership of the EU — not-started (0%)

This is contingent on independence, which has not been achieved; EU membership is a reserved/foreign policy matter.

Press for increased Scottish representation in UK energy strategy — under-debate (20%)

Some renewable energy investment has been directed toward Scotland via Great British Energy's Aberdeen base; broader strategic input remains contested.

Oppose Westminster welfare cuts affecting Scotland — under-debate (15%)

Some welfare powers already devolved under the Scotland Act; further devolution remains a campaign position rather than agreed policy.

SHOWING 14 OF 14 PROMISES

Oppose Trident renewal based from Scotland

Campaign for the removal of nuclear weapons from Scottish waters, opposing continued basing of the Trident submarine fleet at Faslane.

UK Government has no plans to relocate Trident from Faslane; this remains a long-standing SNP policy position with no movement.

TARGET: Trident removed from Scotland

DevolutionBlocked

Campaign for a second Scottish independence referendum

Continue pressing for a legal route to a second independence referendum, arguing for the democratic right of Scotland to decide its own future.

UK Government has not granted authority for a further referendum; the matter remains a live point of contention between Holyrood and Westminster.

TARGET: Referendum granted

EducationDelivered

Keep university tuition free for Scottish students

Maintain free university tuition for Scottish-domiciled students studying in Scotland.

100%

Free tuition for Scottish students has remained in place throughout SNP government.

TARGET: Free tuition maintained

EnergyDelivered

Cut Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions

Reduce Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions well below the 1990 baseline.

90%

Scotland's emissions have been reduced by close to half since the 1990 baseline, per the party's published record, though the very final stretch toward net zero remains ongoing.

TARGET: Emissions roughly halved vs 1990

NHSDelivered

Increase NHS Scotland staffing

Recruit more nurses, midwives, and doctors across NHS Scotland.

100%

NHS Scotland staffing has increased by more than 31,300 since the SNP came to office, per the party's own published figures.

TARGET: 31,300 additional staff

NHSDelivered

Keep prescriptions free in Scotland

Maintain free NHS prescriptions for everyone in Scotland, regardless of income.

100%

Prescription charges have been abolished in Scotland since 2011 and remain free.

TARGET: Free prescriptions maintained

NHSDelivered

Keep hospital car parking free

Maintain the abolition of hospital car parking charges across NHS Scotland.

100%

Hospital car parking charges were abolished and remain free in Scotland.

TARGET: Free hospital parking maintained

TransportDelivered

Provide free bus travel for young and older people

Fund free bus travel for the youngest and oldest people in Scotland.

100%

Free bus travel for under-22s and over-60s/eligible groups remains in place.

TARGET: Free bus travel scheme maintained

WelfareDelivered

Provide free personal and nursing care

Ensure adults assessed as needing personal or nursing care in Scotland receive it free, regardless of means or condition.

100%

Free personal and nursing care remains in place, with payment rates increased 29.5% since April 2020.

TARGET: Free personal care maintained

WelfareDelivered

Introduce and maintain the Scottish Child Payment

Provide a direct weekly payment to low-income families with children to reduce child poverty.

100%

The Scottish Child Payment has been introduced and remains in place.

TARGET: Payment maintained

NHSIn Progress

Cut NHS waiting lists by 100,000 with £300m investment

Invest £300m to reduce NHS Scotland waiting lists by an estimated 100,000 by 2026.

55%

Investment has been made and waiting times are reported to be improving, though the full 100,000 reduction has not yet been independently confirmed as complete.

TARGET: 100,000 fewer people waiting

Foreign AffairsNot Started

Restore Scottish membership of the EU

Pursue EU membership for an independent Scotland as a long-term objective.

This is contingent on independence, which has not been achieved; EU membership is a reserved/foreign policy matter.

TARGET: EU membership restored

EnergyUnder Debate

Press for increased Scottish representation in UK energy strategy

Argue for Scotland to have a stronger role in setting UK energy policy given its renewable energy resources, including a fairer share of investment.

20%

Some renewable energy investment has been directed toward Scotland via Great British Energy's Aberdeen base; broader strategic input remains contested.