First Minister John Swinney has unveiled sweeping public sector reforms, including cutting Scotland's 14 regional NHS boards down to just two, in what he called the most radical reshaping of public services since devolution began in 1999. The plans, part of a wider overhaul of councils and quangos, have triggered immediate anger from trade unions, who warn of mass job losses and accuse the SNP government of disguising cuts as reform, setting up a bitter confrontation ahead of implementation.

Under the proposals, the mainland will be split into two "strategic" east and west health blocs, while Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles are expected to merge their health boards with local councils. Swinney claimed the changes would guarantee no patient waits more than 26 weeks for treatment by 2031, and said Scotland's 32 councils would lose control of social care to the NHS, alongside a cull of the country's 135 quangos, all aimed at addressing a projected £4.7billion funding gap. Unions including Unite, Unison and the STUC condemned the plans, with some warning up to 20,000 jobs could be at risk and threatening industrial action.