The BBC examined how well the Scottish National Party (SNP) has delivered on its 2021 election
promises as the Scottish Parliament prepares for May elections. The SNP exceeded some targets,
such as increasing health spending by 28% instead of the promised 20%, but failed to deliver
others. Major setbacks included abandoning plans for a National Care Service and breaking a
promise to freeze income tax rates by raising them twice. The party also struggled with educ
This analysis evaluates the SNP's governmental performance against its 2021 manifesto
commitments, revealing a mixed record of delivery amid significant political turbulence including
three leadership changes and the dissolution of the Green coalition. While the party substantially
exceeded its healthcare spending commitments, increasing funding by 28% rather than the pledged
20%, it faced notable policy failures including the collapse of the proposed National Care Service
due to inadequate costings and stakeholder opposition. The SNP's fiscal promises proved
particularly problematic, with income tax rates and bands both increased contrary to manifesto
pledges, justified by citing Ukraine war impacts and cost-of-living pressures. Education policy
implementation highlighted structural challenges in devolved governance, as the Scottish
Government's inability to directly control local authority teacher recruitment forced policy pivots and
funding threats. These delivery failures occur within the broader context of Scotland's constitutional
debate, potentially undermining SNP credibility on both domestic governance competence and
independence readiness. The mixed record demonstrates the complexities of translating electoral
promises into policy outcomes within Scotland's devolved settlement, particularly during periods of
external economic shocks.