Stronger for Scotland

Ifnotnow,thenwhen? Ifnotus,thenwho?

MYVISION

Wearefacingacrucialmomentinourcountry'shistory. Thedecisionwemakeinthiselectionwilldeterminethe futureofournationforgenerationstocome.TheScottish NationalPartyhasalwaysbeencommittedtobuildinga fairer,moreprosperousScotlandwhereeveryonehasthe opportunitytosucceedandthrive.

ThethreatofleavingtheEUagainstourwillhasput Scotlandinachallengingposition.Theongoing uncertaintycausedbyBrexithashighlightedthe importanceofScottishindependence,andweremain steadfastinourbeliefthatScotlandcanbeabetterplace.

TheSNPhasbeenleadingthefightforScottish independence,andwewillcontinuetodosointhis election.WebelievethatthepeopleofScotlandhavethe righttochoosetheirownfutureanddeterminetheirown path.Wearecommittedtoholdingareferendumon Scottishindependence,andwewillmakethecasefor independenceateveryopportunity.

Weknowthatachievingindependencewillnotbeeasy. Itwillrequirehardwork,dedication,andthefullsupport oftheScottishpeople.Buttherewardsofindependence aretoogreattoignore.Withindependence,wecanbuild afairer,moreprosperousScotland,whereeveryonehas thechancetosucceed.

WebelievethattheScottishpeopledeserveabetter future.Afuturewherewecanmakeourowndecisions andbuildourowndestiny.WewanttobuildaScotland whereeveryonehasaccesstohigh-qualitypublic services,whereoureconomyworksforthemany,not justthefew,andwherewetakemeaningfulactionto tackletheclimatecrisis.

Thismanifestomakesthecasethatindependenceisthe bestpathforwardforScotland.ItarguesthatScotland's interests,values,andaspirationscanonlybefully realisedthroughself-determinationanddemocratic governance.ItchallengesthenotionthatScotlandistoo smallortoopoortobeasuccessfulindependentcountry, andinsteadoffersaboldandoptimisticvisionofwhat Scotlandcouldachieveifitweretotakecontrolofits ownaffairs.

Thismanifestoisnotjustaboutpoliticalindependence,it isabouteconomic,social,andculturalindependence.It isaboutcreatingafairer,moreequal,andmore democraticScotland,wheredecisionsaremadebyand forthepeoplewholivehere.Itisaboutprotecting Scotland'sinterestsandvalues,andbuildingabrighter futureforallwhocallScotlandhome.

WebelievethatthetimehascomeforScotlandtotake itsplaceamongthefamilyofindependentnations.We believethatindependenceisthebestwaytobuilda betterScotland,andweurgeallvoterstojoinusinthis historicjourney.Together,wecancreateabrighterfuture forourselvesandforgenerationstocome.

OneofourmainconcernsaboutBrexitisitspotential impactonScotland'stradewiththeEU.Scotlandexports asignificantproportionofitsgoodsandservicestothe EU,andwebelievethatleavingtheEUwouldleadto tariffsandothertradebarriersthatwouldmakeitmore difficultandexpensiveforScottishbusinessestoselltheir productsandservicesintheEU.

Beyondeconomicconcerns,wealsoworryaboutthe impactofBrexitonScotland'ssocialandculturaltieswith therestofEurope.AsmembersoftheEU,Scotlandhas beenabletobuildstrongrelationshipswithother Europeancountries,andwebelievethatleavingtheEU wouldriskdamagingtheserelationshipsandisolating ScotlandfromtherestofEurope.

ToexpressouroppositiontoBrexit,theSNPhas campaignedforasecondindependencereferendum, arguingthatindependencewouldallowScotlandto rejointheEUasanindependentcountry.Webelievethat independenceisthebestwaytoprotectScotland's interestsandtoensurethatourvoiceisheardinEurope andontheworldstage.

Thechoiceissimple,avotefortheSNPmeansavotefor achoiceoverourfuture.Yourvotewillbeusedasaclear indicationofScotland’soppositiontoBrexit.

OnAugust8,voteforanindependencereferendum, makeitBothVotesSNP.

MANIFESTOSUMMARY

Scotland’sFuture

OurprimarygoalistoachieveindependenceforScotlandandtoholdasecond referendumonthematter.Wepromisetoworktowardsthisobjectiveandensure thatthepeopleofScotlandhavetherighttochoosetheirownfuture.

StopBrexit

WecampaignedforScotlandtoremainintheEuropeanUnion,andwepledgeto supportasecondreferendumonBrexit.Webelievethatitisimportanttoprotect therightsofEUcitizenslivinginScotland.

Health&SocialCare

Wepromisetoincreaseinvestmentinhealthandsocialcare,includinghiringmore nursesanddoctorsandreducingwaitingtimesformedicaltreatment.Wewillalso abolishNHSdentalchargesandprovidefreepersonalcaretoelderlyanddisabled people.

Education&Skills

WebelievethateducationisessentialforthefutureofScotland,andwepromise toincreasefundingforeducationandtoprovidefreeschoolmealstoallprimary schoolchildren.Wealsopledgetoreduceclasssizesandincreasethenumberof teachersinschools.

ClimateChange

Wearecommittedtotakingstrongactiononclimatechangeandreducingcarbon emissions.Wepledgetoachievenet-zerocarbonemissionsby2045andtoinvest inrenewableenergy.WewillalsointroduceaScottishGreenNewDealtopromote sustainabledevelopment.

Economy

Wepromisetosupportsmallbusinessesandincreaseinvestmentininfrastructure, includinghigh-speedbroadbandandpublictransportation.Wewillestablisha ScottishNationalInvestmentBanktosupporteconomicgrowthandpromote innovation.WewillalsoinvestinimprovingScotland'sroads,rail,andbus networks,makingiteasierforpeopletotravelacrossthecountry.

Welfare

Webelievethatitisessentialtoprotecttherightsofworkersandincreasesocial securitypayments.WewillintroduceanewScottishChildPaymentforlowincomefamiliesandcampaignforafairerdistributionofwealth.

SupportingScottishPeople

WepledgetosupportatailoredimmigrationsystemforScotlandandcampaign fortherightsofEUcitizenslivinginScotland.Wealsopromisetoincrease investmentinaffordablehousingandtotacklehomelessness.

Culture&Heritage

WebelievethatScottishcultureandheritageshouldbecelebratedandpromoted. WepledgetoinvestinartsandcultureinitiativesandworkwiththeUK GovernmenttoestablishanewScottishBroadcastingServicetopromoteScottish mediaandculture.

Crime

Webelievethatcrimeshouldbetackledeffectivelyandfairly,andwewillinvestin thepoliceandjusticesystem.Wewillalsoworktoreducereoffendingby supportingrehabilitationprogramsforprisoners.

Justice

WepledgetoimprovetheScottishjusticesystembyensuringthatitisfair, accessible,andeffective.Wewillalsoensurethatvictimsofcrimereceivethe supporttheyneedtorecoverandmoveonwiththeirlives.

DearScotland,

Recently,wehaveseenreportsthatmanypeoplewhovoteforthe SNPdonotsupportindependence,orareferendumonchoosing ourfuture.

Wewanttousethisuniqueopportunitytosay,clearly,thatavote fortheSNPisavoteforanindependencereferendum.

WealsosaythistomakeitcleartotheUKGovernmentinLondon, regardlessofwhathappenedin2014,wenowdesiretohave anothersayoverourfuture,andtheycannotstopthat.

Itisasimple,fundamental,democraticprinciplethatthepeople wholiveinScotlandshouldbeentitledtohaveasayoverour future,regardlessofwhotheysupport.

So,ifwehavenotalreadymadeitclearenough,avoteforthe ScottishNationalPartyonAugust8 isavoteforanindependence referendum.

WetrustthatthepeopleofScotlandwillmakethecorrectdecision tosendaclearmessagetotheUKGovernmentthatScottish democracycannotbeignored.

YoursforScotland,

SCOTLAND’S FUTUREIN SCOTLAND’S HANDS.

WebelievethatthepeopleofScotlandshould havethepowertodeterminetheirownfuture, ratherthanbeingsubjecttodecisionsmadeby agovernmentinwhichwehavelimited representation.Weunderstandourcountry's history,culture,andpoliticallandscapebetter thananyoneelse,andwearebestplacedto makedecisionsthatwillshapeourfutureina positiveway.

WefirmlybelievethatScotland'sfutureshould beinScotland'shands.Fortoolong,decisions aboutourcountryhavebeenmadein Westminster,oftenwithoutregardforour uniqueneedsandpriorities.

It’stimeforScotlandtochooseourownfuture, beforetheToriesdecideitforus.

THECASEFORSCOTTISHINDEPENDENCE

TheSNParguesthatanindependentScotlandwouldbemoredemocratic becauseitwouldallowScotlandtohavefullcontroloveritsownaffairs.Asit stands,manydecisionsaffectingScotlandaremadeinWestminsterbytheUK government,whichisnotalwaysinlinewiththeinterestsofScottishvoters. IndependencewouldgiveScottishvotersgreatercontroloverthedecisionsthat affecttheirlives.

WebelievethatanindependentScotlandwouldbeeconomicallyprosperous, withmorecontroloveritsnaturalresourcesandtheabilitytomakeitsown decisionsabouttrade,investment,andtaxation.WearguethatScotlandhas astrongeconomy,withkeyindustriessuchasoilandgas,renewableenergy, andtourism,andthatindependencewouldallowittobuildonthesestrengths.

Furthermore,TheSNPbelievesthatanindependentScotlandwouldbebetter abletopursuesocialjusticepolicies,suchasprovidingfreeeducation, healthcare,andsocialservices.WefirmlymaketheargumentthatScotland hasastrongtraditionofsocialjustice,andthatindependencewouldallowit tobuildonthistraditionandcreateafairersociety.

TheSNPbelievesthatanindependentScotlandwouldallowScotstofully expresstheirculturalidentityandtakeprideintheirheritage.Thepartyargues thatScotlandhasauniquecultureandhistorythathasbeensuppressedby centuriesofBritishrule,andthatindependencewouldallowScotstofully embraceandcelebratetheirculture.

OURCASEFORANINDEPENDENT SCOTLAND

SECTIONONE: THEECONOMICBENEFITSOFINDEPENDENCE

SECTIONTWO: THESOCIALCASEFORINDEPENDENCE

SECTIONONE: THEECONOMICBENEFITSOFINDEPENDENCE

Increasedcontrolovertaxand spending

Asanindependentcountry,Scotlandwouldhavefullcontrolover itsowntaxandspendingpolicies.ThiswouldgivetheScottish governmenttheabilitytocreateataxsystemthatisbettersuited totheneedsofitspeopleandbusinesses.

Forexample,Scotlandcouldpotentiallyintroducetaxincentivesto attractnewbusinesses,orraisetaxesoncertaingoodsandservices tofundsocialprograms.

TheScottishGovernmentwouldalsohavecontroloveritsown budget,allowingittoallocatefundstoareasthatitdeemsmost important.Thiscouldleadtoincreasedinvestmentinareaslike education,healthcare,andinfrastructure,whichcouldhelptospur economicgrowthandcreatenewjobs.

Improvedtraderelationships

AspartoftheUK,Scotlandiscurrentlysubjecttothetrade agreementsnegotiatedbytheUKgovernment.

IfScotlandweretobecomeindependent,itwouldbeableto negotiateitsowntradeagreementswithothercountries, potentiallyopeningupnewmarketsandopportunitiesforScottish businesses.

Wecouldalsopotentiallynegotiatefavourabletradedealswith othercountriesthathaveaparticularinterestinScottishindustries, suchasrenewableenergyorwhisky.

Increasedinvestmentandjob creation

AnindependentScotlandcouldattractmoreforeigninvestment andcreatenewjobsbypromotingitsuniquestrengthsand advantages.

Forexample,Scotlandcoulduseourreputationforqualityinthe foodanddrinkindustrytopromoteitsproductsabroad.Wecould alsouseitsnaturalresources,suchaswindandwavepower,to createnewjobsintherenewableenergysector.Anindependent Scotlandcouldalsopotentiallyattractnewinvestmentinareas suchastechnology,tourism,andeducation.

Greatercontroloverimmigration policies

AsamemberoftheEU,Scotlandhasbenefitedfromthefree movementofpeople,whichhashelpedtoattracttalentandfill skillgaps.

Scottishindependencewouldallowustocontinuethatmission, andwecouldusetailorimmigrationpoliciestosuittheneedsofa modernandinclusivenation.

Increasedaccesstofunding

AsamemberoftheUK,Scotlandcurrentlyreceivesfundingfrom theUKgovernment.,throughthecurrentdevolutionsettlement IfScotlandweretobecomeindependent,itcouldpotentiallyhave accesstoawiderrangeoffundingsources,suchastheEuropean InvestmentBankorinternationaldevelopmentbanks.Thiscould helptosupportinfrastructureprojectsorothereconomicinitiatives.

Increasedinnovation

Asanindependentcountry,Scotlandcoulddeveloppoliciesand incentivesthatencourageinnovationandentrepreneurship.

Thiscouldleadtothedevelopmentofnewproducts,services,and industries,whichcouldhelptodiversifytheScottisheconomyand createnewjobs.

SECTIONTWO: THESOCIALCASEFORINDEPENDENCE

GreaterEquality

OneofthekeysocialbenefitsofScottishindependenceisgreater equality.

AnindependentScotlandwouldhavetheopportunitytodevelop policiesthatfocusonreducinginequalitiesinincome,education, andhealthcare.

Currently,Scotlandhassomeofthehighestlevelsofincome inequalityinEurope,withasignificantproportionofthepopulation livinginpoverty.Bybecomingindependent,Scotlandwouldhave theabilitytocreateafairersocietythatprioritisestheneedsofits citizens,ratherthanbeingconstrainedbythepoliciesof Westminster.

AnindependentScotlandcouldintroducelegislationthatprotects workers'rights,ensuringthatworkersarepaidfairly,haveaccessto goodworkingconditionsandareprotectedfromdiscrimination.

FairerDistributionofWealth

Scottishindependencecouldleadtoafairerdistributionofwealth. Asmentionedearlier,Scotlandhasoneofthehighestlevelsof incomeinequalityinEurope.Oneofthemainreasonsforthisis thatScotland'swealthisconcentratedinasmallnumberof individualsandbusinesses,manyofwhicharelocatedinLondon.

Bybecomingindependent,Scotlandcouldcreatepoliciesthat prioritisetheneedsofitscitizens,ratherthanthoseofLondonbasedbusinesses.

AnindependentScotlandcouldintroduceawealthtaxthattargets thewealthiestindividualsandbusinesses,ensuringthatthey contributetheirfairsharetowardssociety.

Additionally,anindependentScotlandcouldtakeamoreproactive approachtotacklingtaxevasionandavoidance,whichisestimated tocostScotlandbillionsofpoundseachyear.

ImprovedPublicServices

AnothersocialbenefitofScottishindependenceisimprovedpublic services.

TheScottishgovernmenthaslongbeencriticalofWestminster's spendingpriorities,arguingthatitdoesnotreflecttheneedsofthe Scottishpeople.

Forexample,Wehavearguedthatdefencespendingshouldbe reduced,andthemoneyredirectedtowardspublicservices,such ashealthcareandeducation.

AnindependentScotlandcouldcreateapublicservicesystemthat istailoredtotheneedsofitscitizens.

Bybeingindependent,Scotlandcouldallocatemoreresources towardsitspublicservices,ensuringthattheyareadequately fundedandaccessibletoall.

Furthermore,anindependentScotlandcouldhavegreatercontrol overitsownenergypolicy,allowingittodeveloprenewable energysourcesthatwouldreduceitscarbonfootprintand contributetoamoresustainablefuture.

STOPBREXIT

LeavingtheEUwouldbedetrimentalto Scotland'sinterests.ThepeopleofScotland overwhelminglyvotedtoremaininthe EuropeanUnion,andtheconstantattemptsto dragScotlandoutoftheEUshowWestminster’s contemptforthepeopleofScotland.

WewillputtheScottishpeoplefirstandfightto StopBrexitandensurethatScotlandremainsin theEU,regardlessofwhatEnglandchoosesto do.

It’stimetoputanendtothisBrexitmessthat Scotlandvotedagainst.

STOPBREXIT: OURCASEFORREMAININGINTHEEU

SocialandEnvironmental Protections

TheEUhassethighstandardsforsocialandenvironmental protections,andthesestandardshavebeenincorporatedinto Scottishlaw.

LeavingtheEUcouldleadtoaweakeningoftheseprotections, whichcouldhavenegativeimpactsonthehealthandwellbeingof Scottishcitizens,aswellastheenvironmentaroundus.

Forexample,leavingtheEUcouldleadtoalossofimportant workers'rightsprotections,suchastherighttopaidleave,theright tosafeworkingconditions,andtherighttoequaltreatment.

Thiscouldleaveworkersvulnerabletoexploitationandharmtheir healthandwellbeing.

Similarly,leavingtheEUcouldleadtoaweakeningof environmentalprotections,suchasairandwaterquality standards,andbiodiversityprotections.Thiscouldhavenegative impactsonthehealthofScottishcitizensandthenatural environment.

DemocraticDeficit

ThefactthatScotlandvotedoverwhelminglytoremainintheEU, butisbeingtakenoutagainstourwill,representsademocratic deficit.

ItisparticularlyconcerningthattheUKgovernmenthasnot adequatelyconsultedwiththedevolvedgovernmentsofScotland, Wales,andNorthernIrelandonBrexitnegotiations.

Thedevolvedgovernmentshaveexpressedconcernsaboutthe impactofBrexitontheircountries,buttheseconcernshavenot beenfullyaddressedbytheUKgovernment.

Thisraisesimportantquestionsaboutthebalanceofpower betweentheUKgovernmentandthedevolvednations,and whetherthedevolvednations'voicesarebeingheardintheBrexit negotiations.

Sovereignty

Scotland'smembershipoftheEUhasprovidedimportantbenefits intermsofsovereignty.

AspartoftheEU,Scotlandhashadavoiceincollectivedecisionmakingonarangeofissues,suchastrade,theenvironment,and humanrights.

ThishasallowedScotlandtohaveanimpactontheinternational stagethatisdisproportionatetoitssizeandpopulation.Leaving theEUcouldleadtoScotlandbeingisolatedandmarginalised, withdecisionsbeingmadebythelargerandmorepowerfulUK government,whichmaynotalwaystakeintoaccountour interests.

ThiscouldhavenegativeimpactsonScotland'seconomy, environment,andsociety.

EconomicImpact

BrexitislikelytohaveanegativeimpactontheScottisheconomy inanumberofways.

Leavingthesinglemarketandcustomsunioncouldleadtotariffs andnon-tariffbarriers,whichcouldmakeitmoredifficultand expensiveforScottishbusinessestoexportgoodsandservicesto theEU.

Thiscouldparticularlyaffectthefoodanddrinkindustry,whichisa keysectorinScotland'seconomy.TheuncertaintyaroundBrexit hasalreadyledtoareductionininvestment,ascompaniesare hesitanttomakelong-termplansinaperiodofsuchinstability.This reductionininvestmentcouldleadtoalossofjobsandnegatively impactScotland'sfinancialstability.

HEALTH& SOCIALCARE

Wepromisetoincreaseinvestmentinhealthand socialcare,includinghiringmorenursesanddoctors andreducingwaitingtimesformedicaltreatment.We willalsoabolishNHSdentalchargesandprovidefree personalcaretoelderlyanddisabledpeople.

Furthermore,wepledgetobuildaNationalCare Servicethatisfitforthefuturebytheendofthenext parliamentaryterm.

HEALTH&SOCIALCARE: BUILDINGHEALTHSERVICESFITFORTHEFUTURE

FREEPERSONALCARE

TheSNPhascommittedtoprovidingfreepersonalcareforelderly anddisabledpeoplewhorequiresupportintheirownhomes.This policyisaimedatimprovingthequalityoflifeforelderlyand disabledpeopleandensuringthattheycanliveindependentlyfor aslongaspossible.

NATIONALCARESERVICE

WearecommittedtodeliveringaNationalCareService(NCS)by theendofthenextparliamentaryterm.

Wewanttocreateapubliclyfundedandfreeatthepointofuse servicethatfocusesonpreventionandearlyintervention.Wealso wanttoensurethatsocialcareworkersaretreatedwithrespect, paidfairly,andgivenopportunitiesforcareerprogression.By investingintraininganddevelopmentforsocialcarestaff,wecan createamoreequitableandeffectivesocialcaresystemthatmeets theneedsofallindividuals,regardlessoftheirageorbackground

BETTERMENTALHEALTHSERVICES

TheSNPhaspledgedtoinvestinmentalhealthservices,including increasingthenumberofmentalhealthprofessionalsand providingbetteraccesstopsychologicaltherapies.Thepartyaims toimprovementalhealthservicesforchildrenandyoungpeoplein particular,throughanurgentreviewoftheCAMHSsystemin Scotland.

AFAIRERSCOTLANDFORFAMILIES

TheSNPbelievethatwemustdomoretoaccommodatethe changingfamilystructureintoday’sworld.

TheScottishGovernment,ledbytheSNP,haveintroducedthe babybox,andwewillcontinuetoexpandtheschemeandwill backalleffortsforittobeintroducedUK-wide.

Wewillbackalleffortstosupportnewfamiliesandsingle parentsandwelcomeanyintroductionoflegislationthatwould providemoresupportforfamilies.

WewillholdWestminsterGovernment’stoaccountandensure theymeetstandardchildpovertytargetsandaims.Wewillnot allowtheWestminsterparliamenttocontinuetoundermine Scotland’schildren.

TheSNPstandsfirmlybyourpledgetomakeScotlandabetter placetolive,workandstudy.

FURTHERNHSINVESTMENT

TheSNPhaspromisedtoincreasefundingfortheNationalHealth Service(NHS)inScotland.Thepartyhasalsopledgedtoincrease thenumberofNHSstaff,includingdoctorsandnurses,andto improveaccesstohealthcareservicesinruralareas.

Integrationofhealthandsocialcare:TheSNPhasimplementeda policyofintegratinghealthandsocialcareservices,withtheaim ofimprovingthequalityofcareandmakingitmoreefficient.The partyhasalsopledgedtoinvestinsocialcareservices,including providingfreepersonalcareforthosewhoneedit.

DRUGPOLICY

Wehaveadoptedaharmreductionapproachtodrugpolicy,with afocusonreducingdrug-relateddeathsandimprovingaccessto treatmentandsupportforthosewithdrugaddictions.Thishas beenachallengingarea,butwearecommittedtofinding innovativesolutionsthatwillhelptoaddresstherootcausesof addictionandimproveoutcomesforthoseaffected.

SUPPORTINGCHILDRENWITHADDITIONAL SUPPORTNEEDS

Wewantallchildrenandyoungpeopletogetthemostoutofthe learningopportunitiesavailabletothem,whichmeansensuring everyyoungpersonisgivenanequalchancetofulfiltheir potential.

Wepassedlegislationtoprovidealegalframeworkforthe provisionofadditionalsupportforlearning–extendingarange ofrightstochildrenaged12-15.TheActmeanschildrenand youngpeopleinScotlandwillhavemorerightsthantheirpeers acrossEuropewhenitcomestoaccessingthesupporttheyneed. WewillfullyimplementthefindingsoftheMorganreviewof additionalsupportforlearningandinvestinfundingforcouncils toexpandonthenumberofPupilSupportAssistantsworkingin Scotland’sclassrooms.

EDUCATION& SKILLS

TheSNPhasoutlinedpoliciestoimproveeducationin Scotland,andwebelievethatthesepolicieswouldbe beneficialtotheeducationsystem.Wehavean ambitiousgoalofinvestingineducationtoimprove theattainmentandlifechancesofallchildren, particularlythroughincreasedspendingonearlyyears education.

Wearecommittedtoclosingtheattainmentgap betweenchildrenfromdifferentsocioeconomic backgroundsbyincreasingthenumberofteachersand providingadditionalsupportfordisadvantaged children.

Wehavemadeasignificantefforttoensurethat educationismoreaccessible,suchastheirintroduction offreeschoolmealsforprimaryschoolchildrenand maintainingfreeuniversitytuitionforScottish students.

EDUCATION&SKILLS: IMPROVINGEDUCATIONANDRAISINGATTAINMENT

INVESTMENTINTOEDUCATION

Webelieveininvestingineducationtoensurethatyoungpeople haveaccesstohigh-qualityeducationandtrainingopportunities.

TheSNP'spledgetoincreaseeducationspending,particularlyon earlyyearseducation,resonateswithusasitcanimprovethe attainmentandlifechancesofallchildren.

CLOSINGEDUCATIONALATTAINMENT

Wesupporttheparty’scommitmenttoclosingtheattainmentgap betweenchildrenfromdifferentsocioeconomicbackgrounds.

Asaparty,weappreciatetheirmeasurestoincreasethenumber ofteachers,reduceclasssizes,andprovideadditionalsupportfor disadvantagedchildren.

EARLYYEARSLEARNING

TheSNPhasplacedastrongemphasisonearlyyearseducation, recognisingtheimportanceofthefirstfewyearsofachild'slifein shapingtheirfuture.Wehaveintroducedpoliciessuchasthe expansionoffreechildcareandtheintroductionoftheBabyBox program.

Overthecomingparliamentaryterm,wewillinvestintomore fundedhoursfor3and4yearolds,providinganopportunityfor childrentostarttheirlearningearlier.

Highereducation

TheSNPgovernmenthasintroducedpoliciestomakehigher educationmoreaccessibleandaffordableforstudents.

ThisincludestheabolitionoftuitionfeesforScottishstudents studyingatScottishuniversitiesandtheintroductionofa minimumincomeguaranteeforstudentsfromlow-income families(EMA).

WewillseektoincreasetheEducationalMaintenanceAllowance from£30perweekto£60perweek.

AndforaslongastheSNPareinoffice,tuitionwillremainfree andwewillcontinuetosupportScottishHigherEducation.

ATTAINMENTCHALLENGE

TheAttainmentChallengeisaprogramintroducedbytheSNP governmentin2015thataimstoclosetheattainmentgap betweenpupilsfromdisadvantagedbackgroundsandtheirmore affluentpeers.Theprogramprovidesadditionalfundingand supporttoschoolsinareasofdeprivation.

IftheSNParere-electedtoGovernment,wewillcontinueour effortstoclosethegapinAttainmentandtochallengesectarian behaviourinourschools.

Digitallearning

TheSNPGovernmenthasprovidedmorefundstocouncilsinorder tointroducetechnologyintoeducation,andwearecommittedto ensuringthateverychildinScotlandhasachromebook,laptopor tabletattheirdisposaltoenhancetheirlearning.

WewillestablishaNationalDigitalAcademywhichwillallow learnerstoaccessthefullhighercurriculum,regardlessofage, schoolorlocation.Thisnewapproachwouldendthepostcode lotteryofsubjectchoice,andenablepeopletostudyfortheir Higherswhilstalsobeinginwork,orfulfillingcaringcommitments.

REMOVINGBARRIERSTOEDUCATION

Nopupilshouldstruggletolearnbecauseofpoverty.Wewillbuild asystemtoensureequalaccesstothefullpackageofeducation, breakingdownfinancialbarrierstomakearealdifferenceinthe livesofchildrenfromlowincomefamilies.

Wewillendtheexclusionofpoorerpupilsfromtripsandpractical activitiesbyremovingchargesforlesswellofffamilies.

Wewillincreasetheschooluniformgranttoatleast£120in primaryschooland£150insecondaryschool.

PROTECTINGTHE ENVIRONMENT

WearecommittedtoimprovingandconservingScotland’s environmentsothatthegenerationstocomecanenjoyour beautifulnaturallandscapeandresources.

Overthecomingparliamentaryterm,wewillintroduce ambitioustargetsanddecision-makingtopreventtheimpacts ofclimatechange.

PROTECTINGTHEENVIRONMENTFORTHENEXT GENERATIONOFSCOTSTOENJOY

IMPROVINGANIMALWELFARE

WewillcreateanewScottishveterinaryservicetoensurethatwe haveenoughpeoplewiththerightqualificationsinveterinary services,animalhealthandfoodsafetytomeetallourneeds acrossthepublicandprivatesectorforlandandmarinebased animalhealthissues.

Furthermore,wewillbanliveexportsofanimalsforfatteningand slaughterandonlyallowlivetransportoflivestocktoandfrom islandsandthemainlandwithstringentwelfarestandardsin place.

IMPROVINGRECYCLINGEFFORTS

Householdrecyclingisatitshighesteverlevels–withover45per centofhouseholdwasterecycledin2017.And,forthefirsttime ever,exceededtheamountofwastesenttolandfill.

TheSNPScottishGovernmentintroducedtheWaste(Scotland) Regulations,whichrequireallbusinessesandorganisationsto separatekeymaterialsforrecycling,whilemostfoodbusinesses arealsorequiredtoseparatefoodwastecollection.

Buildingonthesuccessoftheplasticbagcharge,wehave announcedanambitiousnewDepositReturnScheme,with shopswhichselldrinkssettooffer20pdepositrefundsto customers.Theschemewillincludealuminiumandsteelcans, glassbottlesandPETplasticcontainers.

FRACKING

In2013,weintroducedamoratoriumtostopfrackingwhilea decisionwasreachedaboutitsfutureinScotland’senergymix.

Wehavetakenacautious,evidencebasedapproachtofracking. TheScottishGovernmentconductedoneofthemostfarreaching investigationsintounconventionaloilandgasofany government,includingthreepublicconsultations.

Afteranalysingwellover60,000responsesandlisteningto independentexperts,theScottishGovernmenthasconcluded thatfrackingisincompatiblewithitsclimatechange commitments.

WearecommittedtokeepingfrackingbannedinScotlandand improvingthenaturalenvironmentforalltoenjoy.

MARINEENVIRONMENT

Wewilldevelopamaritimestrategyandsetupadedicated agencytoputourmarineassetsattheheartoftheblueeconomy, doublingturnover,GVAandinternationaltradeinadecade.We willsupportthesustainablegrowthofmarinetourismtoover£0.5 billionturnoverby2025.

TACKLINGTHECLIMATECRISIS

Scotlandisleadingtheworldontacklingthetwincrisesofclimate changeandecologicaldecline.Weareproudtohavethemost ambitiouslegalframeworkforemissionsreductionintheworld, butthereisnodoubtthatthesetargetsareimmenselychallenging.

Weknowtheywillrequiretransformationalactions.Wewillinvest recordamountsintacklingtheclimatecrisisandingovernment ourupdatedClimateChangePlan,publishedlastyear,contains over100newpolicies,puttingScotlandonapathwaytomeetits emissionstargetsovertheperiodto2032andwillhelpachievea justtransitiontonetzeroby2045.

Wewilldeliveragreentransportrevolutiontomeetournetzero targetsbyprovidingfreebikesforallchildrenofschoolagewho cannotaffordthem,removingthemajorityoffossilfuelbusesfrom publictransportby2023andcreatingagreener,moreaffordable railway.Wewillphaseouttheneedfornewpetrolanddieselcars andvansby2030,twoyearsaheadofouroriginaltarget.

Landreform

WewillimproveScotland’ssystemoflandownership,use,rights andresponsibilities,sothatourlandcancontributetoafairand justsocietywhilebalancingpublicandprivateinterests.

WewillbringforwardanewLandReformBill.Itwillensurethat thepublicinterestisconsideredonanyparticularlylargescale landownershipandintroduceapre-emptioninfavourof communitybuy-outwheretitletolandistransferred.

TheScottishLandFundhelpscommunitiestakeownershipofthe landandbuildingsthatmattertothem.Wewilldoublethefund, increasingitto£20millionperyearbytheendoftheparliament.

THEECONOMY &WELFARE

TheSNP'svisionforScotland'seconomyistocreatea prosperousandsustainablesocietythatbenefitseveryone.We believethatthiscanbeachievedthroughinvestmentin education,innovation,andinfrastructure,whichwilldrive economicgrowthandcreatejobs.

TheSNPhassetoutambitiousplanstoincreaseinvestmentin infrastructure,includingnewtransportlinks,improveddigital connectivity,andthedevelopmentofrenewableenergy sources.WealsoaimtocreateaScottishNationalInvestment Banktosupportbusinessesandpromoteeconomic development.

Theeconomyandwelfare: ANECONOMYTHATWORKSFOREVERYONE

FAIRERTAXATION

TheSNPhasproposedusingScotland'staxpowerstocreatea fairerandmoreprogressivetaxsystem.Webelievethatthosewho canaffordtopaymoreshoulddoso,andhaveadvocatedfora50p toprateofincometaxforthoseearningover£150,000.Wealso wanttoensurethatbusinessespaytheirfairshareoftaxes,and haveproposedatourismtaxtobeintroducedinScotlandtofund localservicesandinfrastructure.

ScotlandhasthemostprogressiveincometaxsystemintheUK, withmorethanhalfpayinglessthantheywouldiftheylivedin England,WalesorNorthernIreland.

Byaskingthosewhoearnthemosttopayalittlebitmore,we havealsobeenabletoinvestmoreinpublicservicesanddeliver arangeofbenefits,likefree-prescriptions,freeuniversitytuition andconcessionarybus-travelthatarenotallavailableelsewhere intheUK.

Havingonlyintroducedthisnewsystemin2018,andwithaneed nowtofocusoneconomicgrowth,wewillaimforstabilityover thenextParliament.Whileitisimportantforanygovernmentto haveflexibilitytorespondtoachangeincircumstances,ouraim istomaintaincurrentIncomeTaxratesforthedurationofthe parliamentandincreasethresholdsbyamaximumofinflation.

Publicservices

UndertheSNPourNHSwillalwaysremaininpublichands.SNP MPswillproposeanewlawtoexplicitlyprotecttheNHSin Scotland,WalesandEngland,and‘Health&SocialCarein NorthernIreland’,frombeingsubjecttofuturetradedeals.The NHSProtectionActwouldenshrineinlawthatourNHSmustbe protectedaspubliclyowned,publiclyoperated,anditsservices publiclycommissioned.

ScottishWaterisalreadyinpublichands–andweare committedtokeepingitthatway.ScottishWaterisinvestingin essentialinfrastructure,whiledeliveringwaterandsewerage chargesthatare,onaverage,£42lowerthaninEnglandand Wales.

WewillendthecurrentcontractswithAbellioandSercotobring ScotRailandCaledonianSleeperrailservicesintopublichands.

INVESTMENTINTOINFRASTRUCTURE

Wewanttoincreaseinvestmentininfrastructure,including transport,housing,anddigitalconnectivity.Byinvestingin infrastructure,wehopetocreatejobs,improveconnectivity,and makeScotlandamoreattractiveplacetodobusiness.

Wewanttocreatemorejobopportunities,particularlyin sustainableindustriessuchasrenewableenergy.Weplantoinvest intrainingandapprenticeshipprogramstohelppeopledevelop theskillsneededtosucceedintheseindustries.Thiswillnotonly createnewjobsbutalsohelptoreduceunemployment.

TACKLINGPOVERTY

Wewanttotacklepovertythrougharangeofmeasures,including increasingtheminimumwage,investinginaffordablehousing, andprovidingsupportforfamiliesandindividualsinneed.Thiswill helptoreducepovertyandensurethateveryonehasaccesstothe basicnecessitiesoflife.

OverthecomingParliamentaryterm,wewillintroduceaScottish ChildPaymentof£30perweekperchildtosupportlowincome families.

SOCIALSECURITY

Wewanttoimprovesupportfordisabledpeople,including increasingaccesstobenefitsandservicesandensuringthat disabledpeopleareabletofullyparticipateinsociety.Thiswillhelp toreducedisability-relatedpovertyandensurethateveryoneis abletolivewithdignityandrespect.

Furthermore,wewanttoprotectandstrengthenthewelfarestate, includingtheNationalHealthService(NHS),socialsecurity,and pensions.Thiswillensurethateveryonehasaccesstohigh-quality publicservicesandsupport.

SMALLBUSINESSES

Wewanttosupportsmallbusinessesbyreducingtaxes,providing accesstoaffordablecredit,andsimplifyingregulations.Small businessesarethebackboneoftheScottisheconomy,andwe believethattheyneedmoresupporttothrive.

Overthenextparliamentaryterm,wewillprovidefurther supporttoSmallBusinessesinordertohelpthemthrive.

CRIME,JUSTICE &THELAW

TheSNP'sapproachtocrimeandjusticeisbasedona commitmenttoprevention,rehabilitation,andreducing inequality.Byinvestinginearlyintervention,reformingthe justicesystem,supportingrehabilitation,tacklinginequality, andpromotingcommunitypolicing,theSNPaimstobuilda fairer,safer,andmorejustsocietyforall.

Crime,justiceandthelaw: BuildingasaferScotland

INVESTINGINPREVENTION

TheSNPbelievesthatinvestinginpreventioniskeytoreducing crimeandmakingourcommunitiessafer.

Thisincludesfundingforearlyinterventionprogramsthatprovide supportforfamiliesandchildrenatriskofbecominginvolvedin crime,suchasparentingclasses,after-schoolprograms,and mentalhealthservices.

TheSNPalsosupportspoliciesthataddresstherootcausesof crime,suchaspoverty,inequality,andsocialexclusion.

JUSTICEsystemREFORM

TheSNPsupportsarangeofreformstothejusticesystemtomake itfairerandmoreefficient.

Forexample,theSNPhasadvocatedforreducingtheuseofshort prisonsentences,whichhavebeenshowntobeineffectivein reducingreoffendingrates.

Instead,theSNPsupportscommunitysentencesthatallow offenderstoservetheirsentenceswhileremainingintheir communitiesandreceivingthesupporttheyneedtoaddressthe underlyingcausesoftheiroffending.

TheSNPalsosupportsimprovingaccesstolegalaidforthosewho cannotaffordit,andmakingthejusticesystemmoreresponsiveto theneedsofvictimsofcrime.

Supportingrehabilitation

TheSNPbelievesthatrehabilitationshouldbeakeygoalofour justicesystem,asitisessentialtoreducingreoffendingratesand promotingpublicsafety.

Thisincludesprovidingaccesstoeducationandjobtraining programsthathelpoffendersgaintheskillstheyneedto reintegrateintosocietyandfindemployment.

TheSNPalsosupportsmentalhealthandaddictionservicesthat helpoffendersaddresstheunderlyingcausesoftheiroffending.

GENDEREQUALITY

WehavesetupaWorkingGrouponMisogynyandCriminal JusticetoindependentlyconsiderhowtheScottishcriminaljustice systemcanbetterdealwithmisogyny,andifthegroup recommendsastand-alonecriminaloffenceofmisogynistic harassmentwewillactswiftlyonitsadvice.

TACKLINGINEQUALITY

TheSNPrecognizesthatpoverty,inequality,andsocialexclusion arekeydriversofcrime.Toaddressthis,theSNPsupportspolicies thattacklepovertyandinequality,suchasincreasingtheminimum wage,investinginaffordablehousing,andimprovingaccessto healthcare.

TheSNPalsosupportsmeasuresthatpromotesocialinclusionand reducediscrimination,suchasanti-bullyingprogramsand measurestopromoteequalityformarginalisedgroups.

SUPPORTINGCOMMUNITYPOLICING

TheSNPbelievesintheimportanceofcommunitypolicing,where policeofficersworkcloselywithlocalcommunitiestobuildtrust andtacklecrimetogether.

Thisinvolvesincreasedfundingforcommunitypolicinginitiatives andtrainingpoliceofficersincommunityengagementskills.

TheSNPalsosupportsmeasurestopromotediversitywithinthe policeforce,toensurethatitreflectsthecommunitiesitserves.

Bold,Ambitiouspolicy-makingthat willkickstartourcampaignfor independence.

MANIFESTO 2019