Gavin Newlands, SNP Candidate for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has welcomed the publication of the SNP manifesto which sets out a plan of action to end Tory cuts, protect Scottish jobs, and strengthen Scotland’s hand in Westminster.
Mr Newlands attended the manifesto launch in Perth where Nicola Sturgeon spoke about the importance of electing a strong group of SNP MPs to ensure that Scotland’s voice is heard in Westminster.
The manifesto includes commitments to:
• An alternative to austerity that will release almost £120 billion for public spending over the next parliament, achieving a current budget balance by the final year of the parliament
• Protect public services, including a plan for additional NHS spending across the UK that would, by 2021/22, increase the NHS Scotland budget by up to £1 billion over and above our existing plans
• Increase the Minimum Wage to the level of the Real Living Wage, taking the Minimum Wage to over £10 per hour by the end of the parliament
• Lift the freeze on benefits and abolish the two-child cap and the Rape Clause
• Protect the Triple Lock on pensions, protect the winter fuel allowance and support fair pensions for women
• No increase in taxation on the low paid, in National Insurance or in VAT.
• Support a UK-wide increase in the higher rate of taxation from 45p to 50p.
• Double the employment allowance providing a National Insurance discount for job-creation
• Protect Scotland’s place in the single market, and demand for the Scottish Government a place at the table in Brexit negotiations
• Secure, by winning a majority of Scottish seats, a reinforcement of the existing mandate for Scotland having a choice on its future when the terms of Brexit are clear.
Gavin Newlands, SNP Candidate for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“This is an exciting manifesto which delivers real tangible benefits for Renfrewshire and households across Scotland. This manifesto sets out a plan to end Tory cuts, protect Scottish jobs, and strengthen Scotland’s hand. The First Minister outlined a detailed plan of action which has fairness and opportunity at its heart – a manifesto for a country that is welcoming and outward-looking.
“This is a manifesto which will reject Tory austerity, choosing instead to invest £120 billion into our public services. A strong group of SNP MPs will also look to increase the National Minimum Wage to the level of the Real Living Wage, taking it to a level of over £10 per hour by the end of the parliament.
“This manifesto will also protect the Triple Lock on pensions, protect the winter fuel allowance and support fair pensions for the WASPI women.
“This election is a straight contest between the SNP and the Tories. This is a manifesto which offers a positive alternative to Tory austerity. Whether on Brexit, austerity or the future of our public services, this is a manifesto to make Scotland’s voice heard.”