Programme for Government 2024-25: Our Humanist priorities
September 2, 2024
Ahead of the First Minister’s Programme for Government address, Humanist Society Scotland has set out what we think should be included in the government’s plans for 2024-25.
As MSPs head back to Holyrood after summer recess, attention is turning to the Scottish Government’s legislative and policy platform for the coming year. In his first Programme for Government, John Swinney has an important opportunity to make Scotland a more rational, secular and socially just country.
If implemented, our four key asks would help end religious privilege in our public services, ensure full and equal human rights for all, and protect our natural world for future generations.
And while this is not being taken forward by the Government, we also want to see the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill progress through Parliament and ultimately be passed into law. MSPs will have a free vote on the bill and we hope a majority of members from all political parties back compassionate end-of-life choice.
Here’s a rundown of what we want MSPs and Ministers to deliver in the year ahead:
A Bill to End Conversion Practices
LGBT+ people in Scotland still have little legal or civic protection against harmful attempts to “cure” them of their sexuality or gender identity. Conversion practices are based on the false and dangerous notion that being LGBT+ is sinful or wrong. Not only are they widely discredited as illegitimate and ineffective, they can also cause significant harm to victims.
The Scottish Government must bring forward a trans-inclusive bill to end conversion practices. It must state clearly that nobody can genuinely consent to conversion practices. And it should contain no exclusions or opt-outs for those claiming their freedom of expression, religion or belief would be unfairly restricted.
Safe Access Zones Now
Humanist Society Scotland was proud to campaign alongside Back Off Scotland for the introduction of safe access zones around abortion facilities. For too long, women and pregnant people have faced intimidation and harassment from anti-abortion protesters when exercising their right to healthcare.
Now that the bill has passed and received Royal Assent, the Scottish Government must act quickly to introduce robust regulations and ensure buffer zones are enforced outside every clinic in the country. Scotland must avoid a repeat of the heel-dragging we’ve seen in England and Wales. There is no excuse for the continued presence of religious protestors outside abortion facilities.
End compulsory religious worship in schools
Pupils in Scotland still have no right to opt out of religious observance at school. This is at odds with Article 14 of the UNCRC, which specifies children and young people’s right to freedom of thought, religion and belief.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has repeatedly called for the repeal of compulsory collective worship in state-funded schools in Scotland. In its recommendations, it is explicit that children must be allowed to independently exercise their right to opt out of religious observance at school.
In a recent joint letter with children’s rights charity Together Scotland, we urged the Education Secretary to reform current guidance on religious observance. Children and young people’s views, beliefs and choices must be fully respected.
In his first Programme for Government, John Swinney has an important opportunity to make Scotland a more rational, secular and socially just country.
Bold action to tackle the climate emergency
As a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), we were deeply disappointed at the Scottish Government’s decision to drop the 2030 emissions reduction target earlier this year.
It is now imperative that the Scottish Government delivers a credible plan for transitioning our society and economy to net-zero by 2045, within areas of devolved competence. The Programme for Government must include policies and initiatives targeted at reducing emissions in our buildings, transport systems, agriculture, land use and waste.
Compassionate assisted dying laws
Terminally ill people are currently denied choice and control over their death, forcing many to suffer needlessly against their wishes. If passed, Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill will give those people the autonomy, dignity and control they deserve at the end of their life.
The bill rightly addresses concerns about coercion, patient capacity and clinician distress. We are encouraging all MSPs to give their full attention to the provisions of the bill ahead of the first vote. You can also use our template letter to write to your MSPs expressing support for assisted dying.
These are the issues we’ll be holding MSPs and the Scottish Government to account on over the next year. Recent census results show that 51.1% of people in Scotland now live without religion. In 2024, Humanist values of reason, dignity, and compassion are more relevant than ever to policymakers.
Support our campaign work, make a donation today
Our campaign work is funded by the generous support of our members and supporters. Support our campaign work and help to create a fairer Scotland and world.
Join us!
Your membership will help to fund our campaign work to make Scotland a more secular, rational, and socially just country, and to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to humanist ceremonies to mark important life events.
Latest Related Stories
September 8, 2026
Humanist celebrant Ailsa McMillan delivers Time for Reflection at Scottish Parliament
September 7, 2026
Humanist society unveils scale of evangelical lobbying at Holyrood in Herald article on fight for abortion decriminalisation
June 25, 2026
Draft bill to end conversion practices in England and Wales published at Westminster: what does this mean for Scotland?
June 24, 2026