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SNP manifesto: key points

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20th April 2010

The SNP unveiled their election manifesto in Glasgow earlier today. Among the proposals:

• Scrap the ID card project, the replacement for Trident, the House of Lords and the Scotland Office.
• Rise pensions in line with earnings and a guarantee to protect free personal care and concessionary travel.
• A new phase of capital acceleration designed to create almost 5,000 new jobs this year.
• Demand a fair fuel regulator to protect motorists from soaring fuel prices
• Make sure Scotland is part of the first phase of the UK high speed rail network.
• Plans for 60,000 new green jobs by 2020.
• SNP candidates to sign "community commitment" on accessibility, accountability and openness.

Economy & Jobs

Demand the release of the Fossil Fuel Levy money so it can be used to deliver £200 million new investment in renewables.

Provide incentives for further investment and exploration in the North Sea.

SNP MPs to press for Scotland to have the ability to borrow.

Urge fiscal autonomy for Scotland.

Oppose any changes to the Royal Mail that will weaken the universal delivery obligation.

Lead cross-party calls for the return of £150 million lottery funds diverted from Scotland to help fund the London 2012 games.

The minimum wage should increase in line with earnings.

Explore options for the introduction of a Veterans Card in Scotland to improve access to services.

Oppose UK plans on CAP reform, which would see the removal of the First Pillar funding.

International and Defence

Urge that Scottish recruited units should be based as close to home as is practical.

Call for a "proper review" of the UK's strategy in Afghanistan. The SNP: "Does not wish to see Scottish troops committed in Afghanistan without time limit, without being given a sense of their overarching goals, without a clear vision of what is being fought for, and without a consideration of the means that will be necessary to achieve such an end."

Scottish Government actions and plans

Extend the small business bonus, which means that more businesses in local communities will pay no rates at all.

Take forward the crucial Forth Replacement Crossing.

The SNP will not introduce tuition fees or top up fees and will oppose any changes in English fees arrangements.

Through the 16+ Learning Choices to offer a place of learning to every young person as they reach the end of their compulsory school years.

Protect planned £1.25bn investment in even more new and refurbished schools.

Alongside incentives for new oil recovery the offshore taxation regime should also support the development of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

New Patients Rights Bill to introduce new health rights for the people of Scotland including waiting time guarantees. By next year, no patient will wait more than 18 weeks in total from being referred by a GP to receiving the treatment they need.

Move forward with our proposals to abolish prescription charges in 2011.

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Article Comments

What about English and Welsh Troops? Do they not deserve the same rights as described above? Alex Salmond is deluded in all of his policies. I wish he'd get his way and see how he likes running a third world country!

Bobster
23rd Apr 2010 at 6:38 pm

The commitment not to replace Trident is likely to be popular, especially as opinion polls have long shown that a big majority of the Scottish public is opposed to nuclear weapons.

Jim Stafford
21st Apr 2010 at 4:49 pm





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