Scottish Labour pledge to put ‘education first’
Scottish Labour have promised to put education at the heart of their policies if returned to government after the Holyrood elections on May 3rd.
Launching Scottish Labour’s manifesto today, leader Jack McConnell is set to unveil a range of commitments designed to make Scotland one the best education nations in the world.
If returned to power, Labour will introduce an education bill within their first 100 days of the new parliament, echoing the SNP’s commitment to an independence white paper within the first 100 days.
“To put Scotland first, we must put education first,” Mr McConnell will tell supporters.
He is expected to say: “For Scotland to be the best equipped, most effective and most enlightened, all of our people must be the best educated. My vision for a Scotland most able to influence and inspire over the next 20 years is a vision of a country better educated than our competitors.”
Calling for “education not separation”, proposals include 100 new skills academies and six science centres of excellence. Labour also want to increase the cap on university places to increase the number studying science and technology.
Mr McConnell will also outline how Labour intends to attract the grey vote, with a proposal to cut council tax for pensioners by a quarter by the end of the parliamentary term.
On health, he will announce new targets for waiting times, while law and order measures will explore the option of community courts and more anti social behaviour orders.
Labour launch their manifesto amid increasingly poor results in opinion polls, with the SNP gaining support as voters voice dissatisfaction with the national party at Westminster.
