General Election 2024 – Scottish Labour launch their manifesto

June 18, 2024 12:01 am

Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, is launching the party’s manifesto later on Tuesday.

He urges all voters to think about the next generation when they cast their ballot. He says that more than 200,000 people in Scotland will receive a pay rise if Labour forms the Westminster Government by “ending discriminatory age bands and introducing a genuine living wage”.

Mr Sarwar is looking for a victory at Westminster followed by another successful campaign at The Scottish Government elections in 2026 – when he would hope to take over as First Minister.

The manifesto will set out that electing a Labour Government at Westminster will deliver the following:

A pay rise for over 200,000 people in Scotland – including 40,000 young people – with Labour’s new Deal for Working People which will end discriminatory age bands and introducing a genuine living wage.
Action to end insecure work and one-sided flexibility, with a ban on exploitative zero hours contracts and day one rights to sick leave, parental leave and unfair dismissal.
A permanent new comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme to support first time buyers who struggle to save for a large deposit with lower mortgage costs.
Clean energy by 2030, helping to slash energy bills for good and the UK once again displaying climate leadership on the world stage by creating a Clean Power Alliance with countries at the cutting edge of climate action.
GB Energy, headquartered in Scotland to attract investment into Scotland’s energy sector, supporting community ownership of new renewables and helping create 69,000 new jobs in clean energy industries.
An ambition that every child, regardless of their background, should experience cultural activities with industrial support for Scotland’s creative industries, improved access to music and sport in schools and new consumer protections to crack down on ticket touts so the arts, culture, and sport are affordable for all.
A reset of the relationship with the EU, working to tear down unnecessary trade barriers, agree new arrangements for touring artists and seek a new security pact to help keep the UK and Europe safe.
Renewing our democracy so that Ministers are properly held to account, the out-dated House of Lords is reformed and replaced, and 16 and 17 year olds can finally vote in all elections.

Scottish Labour also believes the following policies and changes are needed in Scotland:

Raising standards in Scottish education, improving numeracy and literacy, and embedding digital skills across the curriculum so young people are prepared for life and work.
A ‘Skills to School’ programme with reforms to careers advice developed in partnership with the private and the public sector so young people are informed about opportunities in a wider range of sectors and industries.
Reforms to apprenticeships in Scotland so opportunities are more flexible, easier to find and matched to skills needs in the Scottish economy.
Improved access to specialist mental health support in local GPs and schools.
Greater use of technology in Scotland’s NHS to improve access to care, modernise services and ensure Scottish patients can access cutting edge treatments and procedures.

Mr Sarwar says: “This election is an opportunity to deliver change for everyone in Scotland right now.

“But this election is also about the next generation of Scots and the future we build for them.

“Giving them back hope and opportunity.

“Opportunities for their own future so that every young Scot can fill their true potential; and hope for Scotland’s future.

“A vote for Scottish Labour on July 4 is a vote to change Scotland for this generation and the next.”