Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has accused the SNP government of a “catalogue of failure” as it reaches its first 100 days since returning to government.

The Conservatives used the milestone on Friday, 28 August, to attack John Swinney’s record across health, crime, public spending and promises made during the election campaign.

The party claims more than 770,000 people are waiting for NHS treatment and argues that ministers have failed to ease pressure on Scotland’s public services.

It also pointed to violent crime, pressure on policing and the early release of prisoners as evidence of what it described as a government failing to address problems facing communities across Scotland.

The Conservatives further accused the SNP of abandoning election commitments involving bus fares, public service reform and support for island communities.

Those claims form part of a wider political attack on the government’s spending plans, with the Conservatives questioning how several commitments will be funded and highlighting concerns over Scotland’s public finances.

Findlay said: “John Swinney’s SNP has had 100 days to show Scots that they’ve changed.

But instead, it’s more of the same gimmicks, broken promises and incompetence.

“At the very start of the new parliament, the first thing Swinney put on the agenda was the SNP’s obsession with breaking up our country.

“For 100 days he’s failed to deliver, with more than 770,000 Scots now stuck on NHS waiting lists.

“Prisoners are being set free early and the police are at breaking point, while violent crime is surging.

“SNP pledges on bus fares, critical public service reform and support for island communities have already fallen by the wayside.

“And we’ve heard nothing about how they intend to deliver or pay for gimmick policies like free schoolbags and supermarket price-fixing.

“Meanwhile, hard-working taxpayers are forced to foot the bill for monumental SNP waste and their out-of-control benefits bill.

“It is shocking that Swinney’s complacent gang of incompetents have no plan to plug the looming £5 billion hole in Scotland’s public finances.

“The Scottish Conservatives will continue holding this incompetent government to account and offer the serious and common-sense alternative that Scotland needs.”