SNP manifesto summary: Key points at-a-glance
- Published
The SNP has published its manifesto, Stronger for Scotland. The full document is available online, external. Here are the main things you need to know.
Key message
A programme that seeks to provide a "clear alternative to five more years of austerity".
Nicola Sturgeon's foreword says: "A vote for the SNP will strengthen Scotland's hand against further Tory cuts and ensure that progressive polices, like those pursued by the SNP government in Scotland, are firmly on the agenda at Westminster."
Key policies
A plan for an "alternative to austerity" that could release almost £120bn for public spending across the UK over the next parliament
This would mean balancing the UK budget for day-to-day spending by the end of the parliament, and after that borrowing only to invest
Hold a second independence referendum "at the end of the Brexit process"
Protect Scotland's place in the single market and demand for the Scottish government a place at the table in Brexit negotiations
Secure a mandate for Scotland having a choice on its future when the terms of Brexit are clear
A living wage, by the end of the next UK parliament, that will be slightly more than £10 per hour
Call on the new UK government to increase health spending per head of population in England to the current Scottish level, which is 7% higher
This would result in an extra £1bn for Scotland, on top of planned increases
Support an increase across the UK in the Additional Rate of income tax - for those earning more than £150,000 - from 45p to 50p
Press for the abolition of the two-child cap on tax credits and the associated "rape clause".
Seek to protect the triple lock on pensions
Stop cuts to the winter fuel allowance
No increase in taxation on the low paid, in National Insurance or in VAT.
A call for Scotland to have control over immigration
Removal of the 1% pay cap on public sector pay
Stand against all of the further planned cuts to social security,
Demand reversal of the cut to Employment and Support Allowance that is removing £30 per week in vital support from disabled people
Oppose the freeze on working age benefits
Always protect free personal and nursing care
Continue to extend free childcare
Campaign to restore the post-study work visa so students can stay in Scotland after graduation.
No support for further reductions to the headline rate of corporation tax
Support an increase in the Investment Allowance to encourage businesses to invest more in plant and machinery
Independence
Reinforce the Scottish Parliament's right to decide when an independence referendum should happen
Hold a second independence referendum "at the end of the Brexit process"
Continued Tory attempts to block the referendum would be "democratically unsustainable"
If Scotland chooses to become independent, it should be a member state of the EU
Brexit
Demand a place for Scotland at the Brexit negotiating table
Demand the inclusion of the case for Scotland's place in the Single Market in the UK's negotiating remit
Secure a reinforcement of the existing mandate for Scotland having a choice on its future when the terms of Brexit are clear
Press the UK government to immediately protect the right of NHS staff from across Europe to live and work in Scotland and the UK
Oppose any attempt by the UK government to treat the fishing industry as a bargaining chip in the Brexit negotiations
Demand the scrapping or fundamental reform of the Common Fisheries Policy
Ensure that the rights and protections currently safeguarded by EU membership are not diminished after the UK leaves
Seek a cast-iron guarantee from the UK government that they will seek the consent of the Scottish Parliament to the terms of the Brexit Bill
Oppose any attempts by the UK government to scrap the Human Rights Act and withdraw the UK from the ECHR
Demand urgent clarity on long-term funding arrangements for farming and fishing after the UK leaves the EU
Powers repatriated from Brussels to the UK should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament in devolved areas such as environmental protection
Call on the UK government to stay part of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to avoid delays in new medicines becoming available in the UK
Press the UK government to ensure continuity in cross-border health insurance arrangements - including the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Continue to work with Scotland's universities and institutions to seek clarity from the UK government on what will replace EU research funding programmes
Support the continuation of programmes like ERASMUS+, which allow students to seamlessly travel to Europe for study
Seek to ensure that any future trade deals secure geographical indications for key Scottish food and drink products like Scotch Whisky, Arbroath smokies and Stornoway black pudding
Press the UK government to ensure border checks are as seamless as possible after the UK leaves the EU, making it as easy as possible for international tourists to visit Scotland.
Economy and taxes
A plan for an alternative to austerity that could release almost £120bn for public spending across the UK over the next parliament
This would mean balancing the UK budget for day-to-day spending by the end of the parliament, and after that borrowing only to invest
Return the deficit to its pre-crash long-term average
Increase the Minimum Wage to the level of the Real Living Wage, taking the Minimum Wage to more than £10 per hour by the end of the parliament
Support an increase across the UK in the Additional Rate of income tax - for those earning more than £150,000 - from 45p to 50p
Until the Scottish Parliament controls tax avoidance policy, the 50p tax rate will not be introduced in Scotland alone
Support the reversal of the two-child cap on tax credits
Continue campaigning against the so-called "rape clause" on tax credits
No increase in taxation on the low paid, in National Insurance or in VAT
Support the reversal of the married couple's allowance
Support the reversal of the reductions to the bank levy
Support the introduction of a tax on bankers' bonuses
Support repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 and a ban on zero-hours contracts
No support for further reductions to the headline rate of corporation tax
Support an increase in the Investment Allowance to encourage businesses to invest more in plant and machinery
Demand the return of VAT taken from Scotland's unitary emergency services
Call on the UK government to examine a reduction in VAT for the hospitality sector, levelling the playing field with other EU nations
Press for the public interest to be fully protected in any future disposal of RBS shares, including decisions on how any windfall revenues should be used
Continue to argue for Scotland to have full responsibility for the regulation of gambling
Presumptions against the closure of rural post offices - similar to the presumption against closing rural schools delivered by the Scottish government
Welfare and pensions
Protect the Triple Lock, ensuring that pensions continue to rise by inflation, earnings or 2.5% - whatever is the highest
Protect universal winter fuel payments, which the Conservatives want to means test
An end to the freeze on working age benefits
Give full support to the WASPI (Women's State Pension Age) campaign, so women born in the 1950s receive the pensions they are due
Propose a doubling of the Employment Allowance - the National Insurance discount that businesses receive when they increase employment
Stand against all of the further planned cuts to social security
Oppose the freeze on working age benefits
The SNP Scottish Government will abolish the Bedroom Tax in Scotland completely, when it has the powers to do so.
Continue to demand that the Bedroom Tax is scrapped across the UK.
Continue to fight for an end to premium-rate telephone charges faced by those seeking advice on or claiming benefits from the DWP
Support restoration of housing support for 18 to 21 year olds across the UK
Support the reversal of the cut to Bereavement Payments and Widowed Parents' Allowance
Continue to press for full devolution of employment and employability policy - including the Minimum Wage
More welfare powers have been handed to the Scottish government at Holyrood, including the ability to create new benefits.
Health and social care
Call on the new UK government to increase health spending per head of population in England to the current Scottish level, which is 7% higher
That would increase the health budget in England by £11bn more than inflation by 2022
This could also increase the NHS Scotland budget by up to £1bn
SNP already committed to increasing the budget of NHS Scotland by £2bn by the end of the current Scottish Parliament
Work with NHS unions to submit evidence to the independent pay review body on the impact of pay restraint and ask it to make fair recommendations
If a UK Government continues to constrain pay in the next parliament, the SNP will seek to work with health unions to explore the creation of distinct Scottish pay review arrangements
Maintain and always protect free personal and nursing care
Vote to protect the health service in all parts of the UK from privatisation
Remain committed to free prescriptions in Scotland
Press the UK government to re-commit to policies such as closing the loopholes in the sugary drinks tax, tightening regulation of broadcast and digital junk food advertising seen by children, and introducing clearer food labelling
Press the UK government to immediately protect the right of NHS staff from across Europe to live and work in Scotland and the UK
Protect the non-means tested, non-repayable nursing and midwifery student bursary
Support a full public inquiry on the issue of victims of contaminated blood products in the rest of the UK
The power over health is in the hands of MSPs at Holyrood and not MPs at Westminster. However, some budgetary decisions made by the UK government can have a knock-on effect in Scotland. This is often referred to as the Barnett consequentials.
Education
Expand early years education and childcare to 30 hours a week for all 3 & 4 year olds and vulnerable 2 year olds
Will not follow the Tories' market-driven education reforms
There will be no selective grammar schools in Scotland
Guarantee the continuation of free tuition in Scottish university education
Protect the non-means tested, non-repayable nursing and midwifery student bursary
The power over education is in the hands of MSPs at Holyrood and not MPs at Westminster.
Migration
Press for immigration powers to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament, so that Scotland can attract EU and EEA nationals to work in Scotland's NHS and care sector in the years to come
Campaign to restore the post-study work visa so students can stay in Scotland after graduation
Restore the "Dubs scheme" to let unaccompanied migrant children into UK
Continue to press the UK government to limit immigration detention to 28 days.
Continue to oppose the detention of immigrant children and vulnerable people, including pregnant women and people with mental illnesses.
Foreign policy and defence
Build a cross-party coalition to scrap the Trident nuclear missile system as quickly and safely as possible
Support long-term investment in HMNB Faslane on the Clyde, where Trident is based, as a conventional military base
Oppose bombing in Syria and press the UK government to take "meaningful action to bring about a political solution"
Keep UK aid spending at 0.7% of national income
Ban arms sales to Saudi Arabia, pending investigation
Westminster has full powers over foreign affairs and defence. For example, the UK government makes decisions on the future of Army, Navy and Air bases and what happens to Trident, which is stationed on the Clyde.
Democracy
Seek additional powers for the Scottish Parliament to boost the economy, mitigate the effects of Brexit, and protect the most vulnerable in society from damaging cuts.
Support the replacement of the first-past-the-post system with proportional representation for elections to the House of Commons
Bring forward proposals to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in all elections
Support the right to vote of citizens from other EU countries resident in the UK
SNP MPs will vote for the abolition of the House of Lords
Oppose the "exorbitant" cost associated with the refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster
Housing
Continue housing policy in Scotland, which has the highest house building rate in the UK
Continue Rural Housing Fund
Change the system for housing asylum seekers, addressing the "disgraceful condition" of housing provided
The power over housing is in the hands of MSPs at Holyrood and not MPs at Westminster.
Transport and environment
Keep EU environmental rules
Set up a new Independent Aviation Noise Authority
Keep cutting carbon emissions and push UK government to do the same
Engage the UK government in discussions on the feasibility of improving cross-border rail links, including linking Carlisle to the Borders Railway
Connecting Scotland to HS2 must be a priority, with construction beginning in Scotland as well as England
A high speed connection between Glasgow, Edinburgh and the north of England as part of any high-speed rail network
Energy
Press the UK government to deliver a strong deal for the oil and gas sector
This must include targeted incentives to develop small pool discoveries, as well as further support to stimulate exploration activity and loan guarantees for critical infrastructure
Work to ensure the UK government takes appropriate action on the taxation of late life oil and gas assets
Will urge the UK government to provide incentives for oil and gas companies diversifying into renewables
Fight to win UK government investment and ensure Scotland is home to the UK's first ultra-deep water decommissioning port and associated facilities
Continue to demand the UK government devolves control of ship-to-ship oil transfers
Press the Westminster government to include onshore wind in its industrial strategy
Demand an increased focus on offshore wind, tidal energy and wave power
Demand the reform of the "punitive" transmission charging regime for electricity
Hold the UK government to account over its support for the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant
Equality
Support lowering the threshold for companies to carry out equal pay audits from 250 employees to 150
Vote for a change in the Equality Act to strengthen and change the law that currently allows employers to have different dress codes for men and women
Press the UK government to introduce a proper legal right to breastfeed in the workplace
Committed to reviewing and reforming gender recognition laws, in line with international best practice
Continue to demand full devolution of equality law to the Scottish Parliament
Seek equality law reforms to ensure same-sex couples have equal pension rights
What are the other parties saying:
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: "Nicola Sturgeon has once again confirmed that her number one priority in this election is her plan for another unwanted and divisive independence referendum. "It is clearer than ever that the majority of Scots who don't want another divisive independence referendum need to send Nicola Sturgeon a message that she should focus on the day job."
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: "Nicola Sturgeon tried her usual trick today of trying to ignore independence in her speech but making sure she's pushing for it in her manifesto. Nobody is fooled any more. Strip away the bluster and it's written down in black and white - she wants to drag Scotland back to another referendum by as early as next autumn. That would cost jobs, risk our economy, and distract us all from the real job in hand - improving our schools and public services. This was a tired manifesto launch by a First Minister who has failed in this campaign to give people a single, positive reason for voting for her party."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "The SNP must think we are stupid. They barely mentioned independence today but we know independence will be their top priority once the election is over."
Scottish Green Party MSP Mark Ruskell said: "There's now a big question mark over the SNP's ability to take on the Tories over climate change. Brexit threatens the progress the EU has made in creating cleaner air, beaches and rivers, protecting our seas, driving up animal welfare standards and ending the UK's reliance on coal for electricity. And yet, there was no mention of the environment or climate change at the party's manifesto launch."
- Published30 May 2017
