Humza Yousaf has announced major changes to key SNP rules. Photo: Jane Barlow/Pennsylvania. Sturgeon's key policy was when he tried to distance himself from his struggling predecessor and «save his own skin,» critics have suggested.
Scots' new First Minister announced major changes to the SNP's education policy, a controversial recycling scheme, and proposed a ban on alcohol advertising , which he said was a major «reset» under «fresh leadership».
However, opponents argued that simply «impacting» Ms Sturgeon's agenda was not enough, as Mr Yousaf's attempt draw a line under the police investigation was thwarted by the arrest of the SNP treasurer.
Mr. Yousaf hoped a series of political statements allowed him to turn his attention back to his domestic agenda after his first weeks in office were plagued by party funding issues and arrests of senior party officials.
On Tuesday, he acknowledged that Mr. Beatty's arrest on the morning of his speech was «far from ideal.»
Megan Gallagher, deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said: «Humza Yusuf has clearly decided that he needs to abandon or shelve key points of Ms Sturgeon's failed political agenda in an attempt to save his own skin.»
Education Rankings< p>Mr Yousaf has announced that Scotland will re-enter the international education rankings from which the SNP left over a decade ago.
Ms Sturgeon has repeatedly turned down calls to join schemes that assess students' math, science and reading skills, which, according to opponents, was an attempt to hide the fall in standards.
For several years, SNP has been criticized for not participating in two major international surveys of educational attainment.
In 2010, they decided to pull out of Trends in International Mathematics and Science and Progress in international reading literacy”. , ostensibly to save money.
One study they have remained a part of, the Program for International Student Assessment, regularly showed Scotland plummeting down the rankings, embarrassing nationalists.
>Nicola Sturgeon repeatedly turned down calls to join the programs despite , who claimed that improving standards in schools was her number one priority.
Understandably, Humza Yousaf felt SNP had lost the bet because of its repeated refusal to return.< /p>Deposit Refund Scheme
The new First Minister, who narrowly defeated pro-business candidate Keith Forbes in March, said he was «listening to business» when asked if he was trying to distance himself from Ms Sturgeon.
< p>«When it comes to the DRS scheme, we know businesses have said they need more time,» he told reporters after his speech in Holyrood.
«When it comes to alcohol advertising, it's me like First Minister, I listen to business. This is new leadership, a fresh start and listening to our business community.”
He added: “I am not going to criticize my predecessor because I have been part of the government for the past 10 and half a year. I say there is a new approach here. There is an opportunity with fresh leadership.”
As a humiliation for Lorna Slater, the Greens minister brought into government by Ms Sturgeon, Mr Yousaf announced that the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme [DRS] would be delayed until March next year.
Ms Slater has repeatedly pushed for the policy to add 20p to the cost of each beverage container as a refundable deposit to go into effect in August.
However, it has proven toxic to businesses, who warned they were in danger of crashing as planned, with details of who it would apply to still unclear four months before the scheduled launch.
A controversial plan to add a refundable deposit of 20p to each The disposable beverage container became an open pain for the SNP government and was hated by the business.
However, Ms. Sturgeon has repeatedly rejected calls to delay the introduction of the policy or eliminate it entirely.
During the campaign, Mr. Yusuf suggested temporarily excluding small businesses.
On Tuesday, however, he went further, postponing it until next year and promising to make changes to address business concerns.
The Scottish Greens tried to blame the UK government for not agreeing to an exemption from the home market. rules that were necessary for its implementation.
Mr. Yusaf is believed to have privately admitted that, in addition to this problem, there were unresolved problems with the policy just a few months before its launch.
It announced the reversal just hours after SNP spokesman Fergus Ewing called it a «green poll tax».
Alistair Jack, Scottish Secretary, said: «I applaud the First Minister's decision to suspend the Scottish Government's Deposit Return Scheme given widespread concerns from business.
«We now have the opportunity to continue to work together on solutions that bring benefiting consumers and businesses across the UK by helping us achieve our shared ambitions. to improve the environment.”
National Care Service
Mr. Yusuf confirmed the delay in the establishment of the National Health Service, which Ms. Sturgeon presented as a key part of her legacy, which she likened to the establishment of the National Health Service in 1948.
As late as 1948 . In November, ministers dropped calls to delay it despite a lack of clarity on costs and how it would actually work.
Mr Yousaf confirmed on Tuesday that he would order an «extension of the review process legislation» in an attempt to «reach consensus» in favor of the plans.
Business Relations
Scottish businesses have been repeatedly annoyed over what they saw as a lack of understanding or interest under Ms Sturgeon.
An already tense relationship worsened during the pandemic, when Ms Sturgeon insisted on introducing much more stricter rules than those in England.< /p>
Many were even angrier when she invited the far-left Scottish Greens, who do not believe in economic growth, into her government.
But Mr. Yousaf extended an olive branch to Scottish businesses, paving the way for further income tax increases for high earners in the coming years.
While Mr. Yousaf went ahead with the coalition agreement, he always talked about it. the importance of the private sector by supporting economic growth and calling for a «reset» with the Scottish government.
He hinted that in the future he might try to lower business rates to ease the burden on firms.
Alcohol Advertising
One of Ms. Sturgeon's key public health proposals was a broad ban on alcohol advertising.
This could be seen in advertising at sporting events and the media stopped and even required from stores to hide drinks from customers.
Companies such as Scotland's world-famous distilleries feared they would have to hide signage that included their branding.
But Mr Yousaf said that sends plans «back to the drawing board» by refusing a consultation that ended last month.
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