THE Scottish government will need to work “harder and smarter” to deliver for the people in the face of Westminster cuts, First Minister John Swinney told SNP members today.

Speaking to the party’s annual conference in Edinburgh, Mr Swinney said that ending child poverty is one of his key priorities and said his government will “tailor support better to families” so they can “get the help they need.”

While this will not have the same “immediate impact” as ending the two-child cap on some benefits — something Labour has said it does not have the money to do — Mr Swinney described the move as an “an example of the sustained, smarter policy-making we are delivering in government.”

With MSPs returning to Holyrood this week, the First Minister will formally set out his legislative plans for the coming year in the programme for government on Wednesday.

Ahead of that, he used his conference speech to set his focus on delivering the “people’s priorities”: ending child poverty; reaching net zero; delivering strong public services; and boosting the economy.

Mr Swinney said: “In an era of Westminster cuts, we are going to have to work harder, and smarter, if we are to deliver on our ambitions for Scotland.”

The newly selected FM also touched on the far-right riots as well as the war in Gaza and attacks in the West Bank.

“This party will never denigrate people who honour us by choosing to make Scotland their home,” he said.

“Migrants have enriched our country in so many ways. Refugees are welcome here.

“And whether it is anti-semitism, Islamophobia or any form of prejudice, the SNP will always stand up for a country free of hatred and intolerance.”