Scottish election 2021: Scottish Lib Dem manifesto at-a-glance
- Published
The Scottish Lib Dems launched their Holyrood election manifesto on Friday
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have unveiled their vision for Scotland ahead of the 6 May Holyrood election.
Below are the main policies from the party's manifesto. The full document can be found here, external.
Top priorities
Put recovery from the pandemic first
An education bounce back plan
Train more mental health specialists for community centres, hospitals, workplaces and schools
Tackle the climate emergency with a green jobs revolution
Oppose a second independence referendum
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Covid-19
An urgent plan to put recovery first for the NHS
Establish a clinical network to research and support Long Covid, as well as a study on the condition by Scotland's Chief Scientist Office
A substantial programme of capital works in tourist areas to provide better car parking, electric charging points and signage to manage tourist numbers better
Create and publicise a network of public toilets with waste and rubbish disposal points across Scotland
Money for a new "Show Must Go On Fund" for the arts and cultural sectors
Independence
Oppose a second independence referendum
Work at a UK level to reform the UK to a federal future
Pass legislation in which Westminster renounces the ability to unilaterally change the powers of the devolved parliaments across the UK or to pass laws in their areas of responsibility
Economy
2,000 paid graduate internships with small businesses
A new fiscal framework to ensure local councils get a fair share of the budget
New pay audits to ensure fair opportunities for people from ethnic minorities and disabled people
Scottish workers given the best chance to manufacture offshore wind turbines
Increase the range of jobs and careers available to people in rural areas, for example by establishing a network of community connection managers
Education
A programme to help children bounce back in education including an expansion of outdoor learning, increased provision of school trips and new support assistants
Play-based education until age seven based on the Nordic model
The legal right to defer Primary 1 and have it replaced with funded early learning and childcare starting this August
Every qualified teacher guaranteed a job with a minimum starting salary of £30,000, as well as a review of workloads and career opportunities for existing teachers
End national testing of five-year-olds
Bring in a new Armed Forces Pupil Premium, similar to a scheme in England, which gives children of service personnel extra mental health and pastoral support
NHS and care
A bigger range of specialists, diagnosis and treatment in local communities
A target of 15% of new health spending going to mental health and train more mental health specialists, including a grant of £5,000 for students undertaking counselling courses
Treat drug abuse as a health problem rather than prosecuting those who experience it
Promote preventative health to take the pressure off the NHS
National standards and fair pay for all social care staff
EU relations
Support a close relationship with Europe
Keep pace with EU policy to keep open the option to rejoin the EU in the future
Environment
Invest in low carbon heat networks
Double the programmes to end fuel poverty
Invest in new skills for a just transition from fossil fuel industry
New national parks, and new woodlands close to where people live
Replace air passenger duty with a frequent flyer levy with exemptions for Highlands and Islands connections
Restore peatlands
Work and benefits
Double the Scottish Child Payment to £20 per week
Develop a system of Universal Basic Income
A job guarantee for 16-24 year olds
New £5,000 Scottish Training Bonds to help people change careers
Housing
Move one million homes to zero emission heating - from mains gas to heat pumps - by 2030
Build 60,000 affordable homes to help address homelessness
Help to Renovate loans to bring derelict homes back into use
Scale up investment in energy efficiency and low carbon heating with an initial five-year programme that will improve 80,000 homes per year
Transport
Reopen railway lines and move away from fossil fuels on the network
Give the public confidence in electric vehicles by progress towards a network of well-maintained rapid chargers
Support active travel, making it easier to make safe journeys by bike or on foot
Create single through-tickets and swipe cards that work for buses, trains and ferries across Scotland
New local powers to integrate all forms of transport and to control local bus services
Insist on a Fatal Accident Inquiry for each pedestrian death
Crime
Increase the influence of communities over the way they are policed and support the police better, including the provision of mental health support workers
Improve rehabilitation services for people leaving prison
Remove criminal sanctions for abortions
Reform Fatal Accident Inquiries to stop delays and learn lessons more quickly
Establish a cross-party commission to recommend steps to prevent violence against women and girls in all its forms
Providing screening tools and training for ADHD across police custody suites, courts, prison and probation services
POLICIES: Who should I vote for?
CANDIDATES: Who can I vote for in my area?
PODLITICAL: Updates from the campaign
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- Published16 April 2021
- Published16 April 2021
