This briefing summarises the key policy pledges in the Scottish Greens manifesto, published on 14 April 2026, relevant to the work of actuaries. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has published its initial reaction to the Scottish Greens manifesto.
The Party’s two co-leaders, Gillian Mackay MSP and Ross Greer MSP launched their manifesto at an event in Glasgow. Gillian Mackay MSP took to the stage first and promised free bus travel for all and a large expansion in free childcare. Ross Greer MSP emphasised that his party was the only one not to back any new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.
Economy
- Use the non-domestic rates system to add surcharges to businesses which cause harm to the environment (e.g. gambling, alcohol and tobacco companies and online retailers) and reinvest these funds in public services.
- Introduce an infrastructure levy on large property developers to fund vital community infrastructure by annulling the Planning Act’s sunset clause in May 2026.
- Introduce 1,140 hours of funded childcare to all two-year-olds in Scotland and 570 hours of funded childcare to every baby aged six months and up.
- Back a comprehensive Universal Basic Income pilot.
- Develop proposals for a Scottish wealth tax.
Health and social care
- Increase GPs so there is one for every 1,000 patients and, once those GPs are in place, offer 15-minute appointments.
- Deliver a long-term, sustainable funding model for hospice care, including fully implementing pay parity between NHS and hospice care staff.
- Restrict the advertising of food and drink high in fat, sugar and/or salt in Scotland, including outdoor advertising such as billboards, public transport and sponsorship of professional sports and events and ban energy drinks for under-16s.
- Improve digital and IT systems and introduce a single electronic patient record between primary care, hospital and social care teams.
Education and skills
- Reduce class sizes to a maximum of 20 pupils, prioritising primary classes in this session of Parliament and lower teachers’ class contact time to 20 hours per week.
- Raise the school starting age to seven and introduce a play-based kindergarten stage for three- to six-year-olds.
- Launch a New Deal for Apprenticeships with fair pay, adult entry routes and recognition of prior learning.
Transport and infrastructure
- Build at least 15,700 more social homes each year between now and 2031, and provide multi-year funding, which will give social housebuilders certainty.
- Require that all new homes meet net-zero standards, be connected to zero-carbon public transport, not be built in flood risk areas, and provide green spaces for residents and the local community.
- Increase the notice period for eviction from a tenancy to four months.
- Free bus travel for everyone in Scotland. Under-30s would get free fares immediately, with a £2 cap imposed for others during a transition period.
Energy and environment
- £600m investment programme in onshore and offshore wind, tidal and solar power.
- 40,000 new green energy jobs in the next five years with public funding directed to offshore wind, tidal and wave energy, green supply chains and renewables manufacturing.
- Reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.
Government
- Embed the use of citizens’ assemblies in public decision making, including by establishing a standing national Climate Assembly and supporting local and regional assemblies, building on the success of the Dunfermline City Assembly model.
- Automate voter registration to reduce barriers to voting, starting in schools, colleges and universities.
