Angela Constance has said the opening days of the Scottish Parliament election campaign show the SNP is the only party focused on Scotland’s priorities.

The comments come as the party sets out early pledges on healthcare, childcare and support for first time buyers ahead of the vote on 7 May.

The SNP says it will double its commitment on GP walk in centres, increasing the number to 30 across Scotland with opening hours from 12pm to 8pm, seven days a week.

The party has also pledged to extend childcare support to cover every family with children from nine months old through to the end of primary school.

Further plans include offering up to £10,000 in support for first time buyers to help them onto the property ladder.

Angela Constance said:

“John Swinney and the SNP are absolutely focused on the issues that matter most to the people of Scotland, improving our NHS, supporting people with the cost of living and delivering the fresh start of independence that can bring people’s energy bills down.

“The beginning of this election campaign has proven that the other parties have nothing positive to offer, Malcolm Offord and Reform UK are showing us every day that they are not fit to represent Scotland and we know they cannot be trusted with our NHS.

“And we have heard it all before from the Labour Party, we know what Labour means for Scotland because we see it every day with Keir Starmer’s disastrous UK Labour Government.

“Already in this campaign, the SNP has been clear we will double our pledge on GP walk-in centres, opening 30 across the country, we will support families with the cost of living by extending childcare support and we will provide up to £10,000 help towards a deposit for first time buyers.

“That is what people will get from John Swinney’s strong, experienced leadership, a First Minister who will always put Scotland’s interests first and will always focus on the people of Scotland’s priorities.”

The SNP has used the early stages of the campaign to focus on public services and household pressures, while also reinforcing its position on independence.

Other parties have set out competing arguments as the campaign gathers pace, with clear divisions emerging over priorities and direction.

The coming weeks are expected to sharpen debate across healthcare, the cost of living and the wider question of Scotland’s future.