John Swinney's SNP accused of running Scotland into the ground as grim figures expose broken public services

Scottish Sun

24-06-2025

Dire stats on booze deaths and school violence underline the state of the nation
WHAT A STATE John Swinney's SNP accused of running Scotland into the ground as grim figures expose broken public services
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JOHN Swinney's SNP has been accused of running Scotland into the ground as grim figures exposed our broken public services.
Cancer treatment waits are the worst on record, sex crimes are up amid falling cop numbers, and homebuilding is at a new low.
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John Swinney's SNP has been accused of running Scotland into the ground
Credit: PA
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One in three cancer patients did not start treatment by the target date
Credit: Alamy
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Violence in kids has also increased, with 152 pupils found with weapons
Credit: Alamy
Dire stats on booze deaths and school violence underline the state of the nation, days before MSPs start a ten-week summer break.
On Tuesday night, John Swinney was told the buck stops with him and his Nats ministers for our 'broken' country.
Scots Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: 'From violence in our schools and on our streets, the crisis in our NHS and a housing crisis with no solution in sight, the SNP have had the power — but no plan.
'Scots are waiting months for a GP or medical appointment, our teachers are crying out for support, and communities are being left behind.
'But the truth is the SNP can't fix what they've broken. Scotland needs a new direction.'
The first devastating report that revealed the nation's disastrous state was the Recorded Crime in Scotland bulletin for 2024-25.
It showed sex offences have soared, with almost 15,000 incidents in the 12 months to April — the second-highest tally since 1971.
Rapes and attempted rapes rose by 15 per cent in a year to 2,897, almost eight a day. That's a 60 per cent rise over the last decade.
And weapon-carrying offences in schools jumped by 11 per cent to 152. The figures emerged days after campaigners against knife crimes took to Glasgow's streets.
Police Scotland reported in March that it had 16,533 officers, a decrease of 878 since 2020.
John Swinney defends Gray's car use after minister was 'driven to pub'
Tory shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said: 'These shocking rises are the inevitable consequence of the SNP's savage cuts to frontline policing.
'Our streets are becoming less safe. The buck stops with the SNP, who have undermined our police and left our justice system at breaking point.'
Levels of non-sexual crimes of violence dipped slightly over the year and are 23 per cent lower than in 2006-07.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance insisted: 'Scotland continues to be a safe place to live. But I am concerned about a rise in reported sexual crimes.
'Our action to tackle sexual offending includes increasing confidence in the justice system so more victims come forward, improving support for victims and modernising the law.'
'SHAME' OF BED BLOCK
By Mark McLaughlin
BED-blocking hit a record high with patients spending 720,000 days in hospital after being deemed fit to leave.
It was the highest total since stats on delayed discharge were first compiled in 2016.
Figures for 2024-25 showed 6,600 stuck on wards because appropriate community care was not available.
Scots Tories health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said the stats should 'shame every SNP minister'.
The GP added: 'It's blocking beds needed for critical operations.
"It's also soul-destroying for patients who are desperate to get out of hospital.'
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'We are determined to deliver the reform our NHS needs to ensure it provides quality care for everyone now and into the future.'
But Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Sandy Brindley said the rise in sex crimes was 'staggering' and 'alarming'.
She told the BBC: 'I'm as sure as I can be that this is linked to pornography and the toxic masculinity and culture young men in particular are being exposed to online.'
Ms Brindley said the rise 'should be a wake-up call to the Scottish Government' to improve education on relationships and consent.
Separate shameful data revealed cancer waiting times are at their worst level ever, with one in three patients facing 'deadly' delays.
Nearly a third diagnosed with 'an urgent suspicion of cancer' waited more than two months for treatment, despite a government pledge that they'd be seen within 62 days.
WARD EASE 'THANKS'
A TOP doctor has claimed NHS users 'should be grateful' to patients who go private as they are freeing up hospital beds.
Dr Iain Kennedy, right, blamed 'long waiting lists' as a survey showed a third of Scots households have paid for treatment.
The BMA Scotland chairman told their Liverpool conference: 'We should show appreciation to people forced to dip into their own pockets.'
Warning 'how bad things are', he added: 'The NHS is dying before our eyes.'
Only 69 per cent started therapy on target in the first three months of 2025, down from 73 per cent last year and almost 84 per cent before the Covid pandemic.
NHS Lanarkshire was the only health board to meet the target, Public Health Scotland said.
Dr Sorcha Hume, of Cancer Research UK, called the soaring waiting times 'unacceptable".
She said: 'The Scottish Government must take urgent action.
'We need a significant increase in investment in the workforce.
'Reforms to NHS infrastructure and services are also required.'
It was also revealed the number of women with breast cancer is expected to increase by 30 per cent in the next two decades to 71,000.
DIVIDE ON DRINK DEATHS
By Craig Paton
THE poorest Scots are six times more likely to die from alcohol than the most well-off, according to figures.
Health chiefs found 54.4 drink-linked fatalities per 100,000 in the ten per cent most deprived areas compared to just nine in the most affluent parts.
And they warned of a 21 per cent surge in liver and heart disease, strokes and cancer by 2043 if alcohol habits continue.
Public Health Scotland found Scots drink 50 per cent more than the recommended 14-unit limit.
Dr Tara Shivaji, of PHS, warned: 'This means thousands more individuals and families facing the devastating impacts of alcohol-related ill-health.
'Scotland is consuming too much alcohol.'
Charity Breast Cancer Now said Scots patients are complaining about 'long, anxious waits for a diagnosis and treatment'.
And Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: 'Scotland is facing a ticking timebomb when it comes to cancer cases on the SNP's watch.'
Scottish Labour's deputy leader Jackie Baillie called the record rise in Big-C delays 'disastrous'
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'We have directed £14million of the additional care funding for 2025/26 to cancer waiting times, with a focus on colorectal, urological and breast.'
Meanwhile, official figures show housebuilding has dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade. Only 11,902 private sector pads and 3,151 social homes were started last year, the lowest since 2012.
THEFTS HIGHEST IN 54 YEARS
By Graham Mann
RETAILERS suffered 44,730 thefts — 122 a day — as shoplifting surged to a 54-year high.
Ministers' figures showed cases soared by 16 per cent in 2024-25 hitting the highest level since 1971.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance last night pledged £4.2billion for justice chiefs saying: 'I recognise the significant harm and disruption caused by retail crime.'
Domestic abuse cases rocketed by 26 per cent with drug supply crimes up 14 per cent and 20 serious assaults on cops.
Labour's Mark Griffin said: 'Eye-watering rents are piling pressure on families, homelessness is shamefully high, people are stuck on endless social housing lists, and the dream of home ownership is slipping out of reach for a generation.'
The flagship Affordable Housing Supply Programme also fell by 31 per cent.
That's despite the Scottish Government declaring a national housing emergency in 2024.
Tory Meghan Gallacher blamed the SNP's 'reckless plans for permanent rent controls'.
She said: 'A hostile environment for investors has led to this disastrous collapse.'
Mairi McAllan, the Housing Secretary admitted the Scottish Government had to 'step up' its efforts.
She added: 'These challenges are made harder to tackle due to an incredibly difficult financial settlement from the UK Government.'
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Sex crimes rose by 15 per cent wth 15,000 offences recorded in a year, the second highest since 1971
Credit: Alamy