John Swinney has insisted his legislative programme for the year ahead will deliver “real change for the people of Scotland,” despite reports that his government is set to announce up to £600 million worth of cuts to Scotland’s public services.

The First Minister is due to deliver his Programme for Government on Wednesday, the day after his Finance Secretary, Shona Robison, sets out how the administration will tackle the black hole in the public finances.

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Yesterday, Mr Swinney addressed his party conference for the first time since becoming First Minister.

It was also his first speech to members since July’s disastrous election, which saw the SNP lose a third of their vote, and return just nine MPs.

He promised delegates he would put the party on a better footing in terms of professionalism and organisation ahead of the Holyrood election in 2026, where polling suggests it will face a challenge from Labour for power.

"We’ve reflected as a party," he said. "And we are learning the lessons of that election."

In his speech, the First Minister told members that independence was "urgent and essential" and that the party needed to link the constitution to the priorities of voters.

He said: "One of the conclusions I have drawn from the Westminster election, and a fundamental commitment I will make to you is this: never again will we go into an election with people thinking: I like the idea of independence, but that can wait because I’m more concerned about the economy, or my job, or the cost of living or the NHS," he said.

"My promise to you is that I will make sure independence is understood as the route to a stronger and fairer country.

"Understood not as nice to have – but as urgent and essential here and now. That is how we will make independence happen.

"So my leadership is about earning the right to be heard – by delivering on the public’s priorities.

"It’s about people, prosperity, public services and the planet. Staying true to our values amid Westminster austerity. Total faith in Scottish democracy."

Unlike previous conferences, there was little in the way of policy announcements from the leader with aides saying it would be difficult to make any pledges ahead of Tuesday’s statement from Ms Robison.

With reducing child poverty a key priority for the First Minister, his address to SNP conference confirmed there would be additional help for families on low incomes.

"Next week I will set out our programme for government, building on the SNP record, building on our beliefs that investing in our people, our public services and our planet is the means to building prosperity for all," he 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.

"But this party has never been afraid to work hard in pursuit of a better Scotland. That is what we all came into politics to do.

"So next week, I will set out how we can tailor support better to families ensuring they get the help they need, when they need it, to lift those families out of poverty."

The scale of the cuts to be announced tomorrow - reported in the Sunday Times to be between £500m and £600m - is far greater than expected.

Last week, Mr Swinney told STV he would need to slash services by at least £250m to balance the books.

The Scottish Government has already announced a number of efficiencies, including pausing a scheme providing free iPads and laptops to people who are "digitally excluded."

Funding for other projects including flood defences and the expansion of free school meals also looks set to be diverted.

There has already been concern from environmental charities over plans to reclaim cash set aside for restoring nature.

Meanwhile, there are more calls from high profile figures in the arts about plans to cut funding for Creative Scotland.

Outlander star, Sam Heughan told Scotland on Sunday, it was “imperative” that money was found to reverse the shutdown of Creative Scotland’s open fund.

Alan Cumming described the closure of the fund for artists as “really tragic” and “not a good look.”

He said the impact of the cut was “really alarming” for the future of the Scottish arts scene.

Last week, the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) said that the SNP’s own choices were partly to blame for the Scottish Government’s financial difficulties.

Above-expectation public sector pay deals, the council tax freeze and benefit reforms, as well as uncertainty about the level of funding coming from Westminster, have all eaten away at the money available.

Responding to Mr Swinney's speech, Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “John Swinney's attempt at self-reflection rings hollow while the SNP is continuing to dodge responsibility for its record in government.  

"Instead, it was a copy-paste speech from a First Minister out-of-ideas and more focussed on holding together his divided party than facing up to the challenges Scots face.

“The SNP’s cynical and dishonest election campaign was rejected by Scottish voters, but it is still sticking to the same script."

Scottish Tory chairman Craig Hoy said: “John Swinney is fooling nobody with his desperate attempt to blame anyone but the SNP for the savage cuts and tax rises his government is imposing.

“His pitiful speech lacked any sort of substance and failed to address the huge black hole in Scotland’s finances which has been created by the SNP’s own incompetence and decision-making.

“He has a nerve to bang the drum about wanting a less polarised national debate when all he spoke about was his determination to stoke up division by breaking up the UK."