Sturgeon: National Mission to Rebuild Scotland

Scotland's Future Must be in Scotland's Hands
Nicola Sturgeon today said the SNP would set out bold plans to rebuild the country and put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands as the party prepares for the upcoming election.

With the parliamentary and independent inquiries now considering their reports, the First Minister indicated she, and the SNP, would get on with the crucial job of navigating a path through Covid and building Scotland’s recovery.

With just three weeks of the current parliamentary term left, the SNP leader and First Minister said:

“In government over this last year the SNP has been laser-focussed on keeping Scotland safe – it has been, and remains, our national mission.

“As we come out of the crisis we will have a new national mission - to rebuild and revitalise Scotland.

“And as we look to the future the fundamental question before people in Scotland is this - who has the right to decide the kind of country we should be?

“Should it be the people who live here or should it be the likes of Boris Johnson? I believe it is for the people of Scotland to decide.

“A Westminster government that we didn’t vote for is taking Scotland in the wrong direction with a disastrous Brexit and a record of austerity that has damaged public services.

“In government, we will work in partnership with people across Scotland on the great rebuilding task ahead of us. Indeed, that work is already underway.

"We are rolling out the Covid vaccination programme the length and breadth of the country.

“This week, we will ask Parliament to back a budget that invests in people, jobs and the NHS.

“We are making sure that vital cash is available to families who need it most through the Scottish Child Payment.

“Our Young Person’s Guarantee aims to give every young person the opportunity to study, work, take up an apprenticeship or volunteer.

“And we intend to deliver a payrise for our NHS workers – no matter what the Tories in Westminster say.

“Between now and the election we will set out how we will meet the ambitions we all share for Scotland.

“As the Westminster parties are hitting out as never before, taking powers from the Scottish Parliament, and drawing to themselves decisions on spending priorities that should be Scotland’s to make, the SNP is determined to build a better country and put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.”

Transforming Healthcare in Aberdeenshire

First Minister hails new facility at heart of community
The First Minister has opened a £14.7 million health facility providing additional services in Aberdeenshire, including a dental surgery and a community maternity unit.

The Inverurie Health and Care Hub will accommodate an estimated 30,000 patients in its 38 consulting rooms within five years, doubling that of the previous GP practice.

The First Minister also viewed construction progress at the £55 million Inverurie Community Campus, which is part of new school construction projects worth £156 million underway across the north of Scotland.

Speaking after touring the health and school facilities in Inverurie, Ms Sturgeon said:

"This new health facility in Inverurie is an excellent example of integrated health and social care, providing people with services located in a single setting, at the heart of the community.

"It is exactly in line with our vision of improving primary care by allowing GPs to focus their skills where they add most value and allowing patients to be seen at the right time by the right person.

“The new £55 million Inverurie Community Campus will be a massive boost for the town giving young people state of the art world class facilities in which to learn.

“These facilities are two of many new infrastructure projects planned as part of our significant investment in the north east.”

SNP Launch New Drive for Diversity in Political Life

Ahmad Scholarship Launched at SNP Equalities Conference
The SNP has today launched a new initiative tasked with encouraging a greater number of black, Asian and minority ethnic people into political decision making in Scotland.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf MSP and Scotland’s first female Asian MP Tasmina Ahmed Sheik will co-chair a taskforce to explore the barriers facing those entering politics and public life, with a view to overcoming those obstacles.

Their work will include establishing a new Bashir Ahmad Scholarship programme, launched today at the SNP Equalities Day, which brings together conventions for black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members, LGBTI+ members, and Disabled members at the SECC in Glasgow.

The scholarship, named in memory of the late SNP MSP Bashir Ahmad, will provide political mentoring and internship opportunities to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members of the SNP. Bashir Ahmad made history in 2007 when he was elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament, representing Glasgow on the regional list. He was the first Asian-Scot and non-white parliamentarian to sit in Holyrood. Bashir died in February 2009.

Setting out her commitment to increase diversity in politics and Scottish public life, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said:

"I am proud to lead a party that celebrates the diversity of our nation. From Bashir Ahmad, the first minority ethnic Scot elected to the Scottish Parliament, to Humza Yousaf, the first minority ethnic Scot appointed to government and Tasmina-Ahmed Sheik, the first minority ethnic woman elected to Westminster from Scotland, it is the SNP that has led the way in making significant cracks in the glass ceiling.

“However, we must go further. The Scottish Parliament, Westminster and our council chambers must reflect the multicultural tartan of Scotland. I want our party to not only celebrate diversity but actively ensure we reflect that diversity.

“The Bashir Ahmad Scholarship programme will provide political mentoring and internship opportunities to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Scots.

“And I have asked Humza Yousaf and Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh to co-chair a working group on behalf of the SNP to explore the barriers facing those entering politics and public life, with a view to overcoming those obstacles.

“The SNP is committed to a wholly inclusive Scotland – whether you are from Pakistan or Poland, Ireland or India, the SNP wants you as part of our movement.

“In the words of Bashir Ahmad, ‘it doesn't matter where you come from, what matters is where we go together as a nation’.”

Looking ahead to the work of the taskforce Humza Yousaf, who worked for Bashir Ahmad, added:

"Without the vision and drive of the late, great Bashir Ahmad I simply wouldn't be in the position I am in today. His efforts made it possible for me, and hopefully a future generation of minority ethnic Scots, to get involved in politics. However, it would be a mistake to think the job is done, as a nation we need to be more representative of Scottish society in all layers of our political system.

"I am delighted that the SNP has launched the Bashir Ahmad Scholarship and it is a real pleasure to co-Chair the Working Group to look at how we can make our party more reflective of Scotland's multicultural landscape."

The SNP’s Equalities Convener, Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh added:

“The SNP has equality at its core. We are an inclusive, socially progressive party, with a forward-thinking membership.

“Achieving a proper balance of candidates and elected representatives who are fully reflective of all those we seek to represent, is a process and not an event. It takes time, effort and planning to deliver this kind of positive advancement.

“I’m really looking forward to co-chairing the Working Group with Humza and taking our commitment to inclusivity from strength to strength.”

SNP Plan to release £118 Billion of Anti-Austerity Investment

Manifesto Outlines Credible Alternative to Cuts
Nicola Sturgeon will set out a fiscally responsible plan to end Tory austerity cuts, and boost support for public services and family budgets, when the SNP launches its election manifesto in Perth on Tuesday.

The plans present a credible alternative to proposals from the Tories and Labour which have been heavily criticised by the IFS and aim to moderate, in a responsible way, the rate of deficit reduction by balancing current spending instead of aggressive cuts intended to accumulate a surplus.

According to the IFS, Tory plans would condemn the UK to continued austerity whilst Labour’s tax plans would hit households across the board and fail to raise the funding they have promised.

Under SNP plans which will be outlined in the manifesto, an additional £118bn would be released for public spending UK-wide over the course of the parliament – freeing up resources for public services, protecting family budgets, and enabling a fair social security system.

The SNP’s fiscal plan would aim to balance the current budget by the end of the Parliament (2021/22), stabilise net borrowing at the level it was at before the financial crash and see debt begin to fall as a share of GDP from 2019/20.

Branding Tory plans for deeper austerity "unnecessary, ideological and self-defeating", Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Now more than ever before we need strong SNP voices to stand up to the Tories – and stand up for Scotland – at Westminster.

“Both the Conservatives and Labour’s economic plans at this election have unravelled already under scrutiny from the IFS, which has confirmed that a vote for the Tories is a vote for more cuts.

"The SNP manifesto will set out a clear alternative to continued Tory austerity – and the unnecessary, ideological, and self-defeating cuts that have held back the economy, damaged public services, and hammered millions by squeezing family budgets.

“We will not follow the Tories in their blind pursuit of a pre-election surplus to spend in five years time, or Labour in their reckless plans to hike taxes without knowing if they will secure any additional revenue.

"The SNP will put forward a responsible and credible fiscal plan that will free up an additional £118 billion of public investment to grow the economy, safeguard our public services, protect household incomes and put the UK’s finances back on a stable footing.

“If that money was rightly spent on public services and supporting low paid households it could inject a further £10bn over the next parliament into spending in Scotland.

“The Tories’ plans have nothing to do with strong public finances and are all about their desire to cut benefits, cut pensions and shrink our public services like the NHS and the police. It is only the SNP that can keep the Tories in check.

“Now more than ever, it is vital we have strong SNP voices to stop the Tory cuts, protect our pensioners, back our essential public services and help households meet the rising cost of living.

“A vote for the SNP will send a strong message to the Tories that unnecessary cuts are simply unacceptable and will help us make Scotland the best country it can be.”

Nicola Sturgeon on delivering for North East health care

Nicola Sturgeon in the Evening Express, Friday, 29th April 2016

As First Minister, I am extremely proud of the SNP’s record in delivering for the North East of Scotland – no more so than on healthcare, which we have absolutely transformed since we came to power in 2007.

As health secretary in the first SNP government, I took radical steps to redress the significant failings of the previous Labour and Lib Dem Scottish Executive in underfunding and under-resourcing NHS Grampian.

Despite swingeing cuts to Scotland’s budget from Westminster, we have protected and increased funding for NHS Grampian. In fact, we’ve increased it by a huge amount – £300 million – giving the North East over 50 per cent more in funding for health services than it received under Labour and Lib Dems. In terms of what the overall budget for health in Scotland, we are ensuring that the North East gets its fair share – with 9.8 per cent of resources now going to Grampian, compared to 9.1 per cent before the SNP were in government. That’s a huge difference, which is being put to good use in delivering more doctors and nurses to deliver better healthcare for the local community.

We have transformed the provision of services by building for the future with a new £110 million Emergency Care Centre completed in 2012 and a new £15 million Community Health and Care Village in the city – a brand new outpatient hospital, delivering diagnostic and treatment services for the people of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Developing existing facilities, we invested £18 million to increase capacity by building new theatres for – employing more doctors, nurses and support staff – with an additional £7 million to support further improvements in orthopaedics, general surgery and urology.

And we’ve got more to do.

Work will start soon on a new £14 million health care hub for Inverurie – delivering vital services to rural Aberdeenshire, a project long-promised by the Lib Dems when they still had MSPs in North East constituencies, but never delivered.

At Foresterhill, nearly £100 million has been committed for the new Baird Family Hospital to transform maternity, gynaecology, breast screening and breast surgery services, creating a new neonatal unit, a centre for reproductive medicine, an operating theatre suit and research and teaching facilities. The new state-of-the-art ANCHOR Centre will provide the very best quality of out-patient care for patients with cancer, and include pharmacy, research and teaching facilities, adjacent to the existing Radiotherapy Centre.

But we’re not only investing in bricks and mortar. There are now more skilled professionals delivering the highest quality healthcare in Grampian than ever before.

Staff numbers are up by 7.5 per cent in Grampian with the SNP.

We’ve increased the number of consultants in Grampian by 36.6 per cent.

The number of emergency medicine consultants have increased by 110 per cent.

We’ve delivered more nurses and midwives under the SNP.

And we’ve grown the number of GPs working in Grampian by 9.6% – that’s 50 more doctors in primary care across the region than under Labour and the Lib Dems.

In our manifesto, I make a personal pledge on health if people across Scotland choose to re-elect me as their First Minister next Thursday. The SNP are promising record investment of £500 million above inflation by the end of the next parliament to boost staff levels further and transform health care.

No other party in this election – despite their repeated complaints about NHS funding in recent years – is matching our ambition. Labour aren’t even willing to pass on the funding to Grampian which comes by default from changes to NHS spending in England.

Labour in Aberdeen have spent the past weeks scaremongering over major trauma provision in Aberdeen. They are wrong on the facts and wrong to politick over such a serious issue. Our manifesto makes absolutely clear that Aberdeen Royal Infirmary will be a key part of Scotland’s major trauma network.

On top of that, we’ve made absolutely clear in our manifesto that Aberdeen will be the site of a new elective treatment centre, part of £200 million of investment to improve care for older people. There’s no word of anything similar from Labour or the Tories.

Scotland’s NHS is our most cherished public service – and Grampian is a major and growing part of that, which has gone from strength to strength under the SNP. Only with a re-elected SNP government can we keep driving our NHS forward, giving it the resources it needs now, to make it fit for the future.

Sturgeon Sets Out Ambitious Plan to Boost Innovation and Productivity

Re-Elected SNP Government To Have 'Relentless Focus' On Boosting Economy To Create Jobs
SNP Leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has today set out the actions a re-elected SNP Government will take to boost Scotland’s economy and create jobs – promising a ‘relentless focus’ on innovation and productivity to create more, better paid jobs.

The First Minister made clear that if re-elected for a historic third term, the SNP in government will focus firmly on four key pillars of our economic strategy - maximising investment in infrastructure and skills, driving innovation, boosting exports and promoting more inclusive growth.

Ms Sturgeon made the pledge after visiting Ferguson’s shipyard in Port Glasgow, which the SNP helped save by securing new investment and whose production of hybrid ferries has been hailed as a prime example of Scottish industry using new and innovative technology.

The SNP Government’s investment in the new hybrid ferries has enabled the shipyard to hire more employees and expand the shipyard.

Key aspects of the SNP’s plan to boost the economy announced today include:

• New support to help business scale up and expand
• Launching a new Innovation Prize, with an annual award for the project that can best turn new ideas into new businesses, jobs and growth
• A new educational programme targeted at developing entrepreneurial skills within the workplace
• Investing in apprenticeships and support for young people to get into work
• Triple the number of exporting advisors in Scotland and fund new Innovation and Investment Hubs in London, Dublin and Brussels to attract inward investment and help companies and academia access new markets and investors

Commenting, Ms Sturgeon said:

“Scotland’s economy has strong foundations – with employment outstripping the rest of the UK, inward investment levels booming and exports increasing – but we are determined to build on the progress we’ve made in recent years and go even further in boosting our economy and creating more and better jobs.

“One of the key ways we can continue to improve our economic performance is by working to incentivise innovation and boost our productivity – and a re-elected SNP Government will put in place a series of ambitious plans to ensure our economy is able to meet its full potential.

“While the SNP in government would guarantee a relentless focus on continuing to improve our economy and create jobs, the other parties’ have so far been unable to string a coherent economic plan together – with the Tories continuing to be wedded to George Osborne’s austerity plans, and Labour’s only idea on the economy seeming to be hiking taxes on low-earners in Scotland.

“The election three weeks today is about who is best to stand up for Scotland, ensure our economy is fit for the challenges of the future and keep the country moving forward – and if re-elected as First Minister, I pledge today that a government I lead will use every power at our disposal to boost our economy and create more and better jobs here in Scotland.”

Labour Leader Must End 'Confused and Hypocritical' Stance on Tax

Corbyn Challenged to Back Trident Cut Rather than Raise Tax on Low Earners
Nicola Sturgeon has today challenged Jeremy Corbyn to end Labour’s ‘confused and hypocritical’ stance on tax – and to confirm his entire party’s opposition to spending £167 thousand million on nuclear weapons.

While supporting Kezia Dugdale’s plans to raise the level of tax on millions of low-income workers in Scotland – including 500,000 pensioners – Jeremy Corbyn has also supported George Osborne’s plan to cut taxes for the better off, south of the border. The SNP tax plans would protect the low paid, and reverse this tax cut on the rich.

Instead of raising tax on low-earners, the First Minister called on Mr Corbyn to “show some proper leadership” and confirm his entire party’s opposition to Trident renewal – which would free up £167bn to spend on public services.

Commenting, Nicola Sturgeon said:

“The idea that Jeremy Corbyn will use his day-trip to Scotland to lecture people on fairness – while supporting George Osborne’s tax cut for the better off and Kezia Dugdale’s plan to hike taxes on even the lowest paid workers – is incredible.

“Labour’s tax increase on the low-paid has already descended into absolute farce after Kezia Dugdale’s plans for a ‘rebate’ fell apart – and the fact that Jeremy Corbyn has now backed her plans shows that he is either completely unaware of the detail, or that he is simply indifferent to the idea of low-earners being forced to pay the price for Tory austerity.

“Making low earners pay in Scotland pay the price of Tory austerity whilst giving high earners in England a tax cut is simply falling into a Tory trap. This is either an example of complete confusion from Jeremy Corbyn – or of rank hypocrisy.

“Instead of shifting the burden of Tory austerity onto the incomes of the lowest paid Labour should get their act together to oppose Trident renewal and release £167bn for public spending – the fact that they have not yet done so is testament to the absolute chaos in their ranks on this and so many other issues.

“The SNP will never support the renewal of Trident nuclear weapons and an SNP Scottish Government will stand firm against Tory plans to put new nuclear weapons on the Clyde at every possible opportunity.

“Jeremy Corbyn must show some proper leadership on the issue and take his party with him – or else it will be clearer than ever that all he has to offer is warm words.

“In contrast, the SNP is the only party in Scotland with the strength, unity and vision to stand up to the Tories, firmly oppose Trident and put forward fair and progressive tax plans which protect people on low incomes – and until Labour end their confused and hypocritical stance on tax and public spending, they’ll continue to be rejected by people in Scotland.”

Nicola - New Powers to Support Young People and Grow Economy

Jobs Grant to Help Young Scots into Work
Young people in Scotland will be given additional support to start their working lives by an SNP Government – as Nicola Sturgeon sets out ambitious plans to use the new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament to keep Scotland moving forward.

The SNP will today announce plans to use the power to create new benefits to introduce a Jobs Grant for young people aged 16-24 who have been out of work for six months and are starting a job for more than 16 hours a week.

The grant of £100, or £250 for those with children, will support the costs of re-entering the workplace. Those eligible for the grant will also receive support with the costs of public transport for up to three months.

The Jobs Grant which could support around 6,000 young people each year to get into work and stay in work forms part of SNP plans to reduce youth unemployment by 40% by 2021.

The announcement comes the day after the First Minister confirmed 5000 additional apprenticeships will be targeted on high level science, engineering and technology skills and that new qualifications will encourage young people to develop broader vocational skills to prepare them for the economy of the future.

Making the announcement Nicola Sturgeon will say:

“We will use the new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament to support Scotland’s young people and to grow our economy.

“I want to see all our young people start their working lives with the best possible opportunities and an equal chance of success.

“Under the SNP government youth employment has risen to its highest level since 2009 and is now the highest of any country in the UK.

“Over the next parliament we want to go further and reduce youth unemployment by 40%. The new SNP Jobs Grant will help those who have been out of work to start a new job and prevent young people slipping into long term unemployment.

“Starting work comes with additional costs such as work clothes and travel expenses and for young people who may have no savings it can be difficult to get started.

“I want to see all our young people in work, training or employment. Over the next Parliament we will increase the number of apprenticeships, bring employers, colleges and schools closer together to help young people into work, continue to support free education and support young people as they find employment.

“It is only with a re-elected SNP government that we can ensure a brighter future for our young people and stronger growth in Scotland’s economy.”

Leaders' Debate - SNP Only Party to be Trusted with New Powers

Debate shows SNP are only party to be trusted with new powers

The first TV debate on the Scottish Election campaign shows that only the SNP can be trusted to use the new tax powers responsibly.

The debate saw Labour and the Lib Dems pledge to increase taxes for the lowest paid with no evidence of how they will protect people on low incomes.

At the same time the Tories committed to tax cuts for the rich on the back of cuts to spending on the disabled.

SNP Campaign Director John Swinney said

"Nicola Sturgeon showed that she is the only leader who can be trusted to take our country forward.

"After tonight's debate voters across Scotland know that it is only the SNP who can be trusted to use tax powers wisely not recklessly.

"Labour would tax some of the lowest paid in our society whilst the Tories would cut tax for the richest on the backs of the disabled and some of the poorest in our society.

"On tax, on welfare and on public spending this debate showed that it is only by using both votes SNP and supporting Nicola Sturgeon for First Minister that Scotland can keep moving forward.”

Fiscal Framework: Labour Must Back Scotland Over Treasury

First Minister "Aghast" That Labour Could Back A Bad deal
Labour has been challenged today to make clear that they will join the SNP in only backing a Fiscal Framework deal that is fair to Scotland.

Responding to a question from Kenneth Gibson MSP at First Minister's Questions, the First Minister said that she was “aghast” that Labour appeared to be suggesting that the Scottish Government should sign up to a Fiscal Framework deal – the financial package that is needed before the new powers promised to Holyrood can be delivered through the Scotland Bill – with the Tory Treasury that would be bad for Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon said that the Scottish Government was negotiating in “good faith” but that they “won’t sign up to a deal that systematically cuts Scotland’s budget regardless of anything this government or future Scottish governments were to do.”

Commenting, Mr Gibson said:

“It will come as no surprise to anyone that Tories in the Scottish Parliament are calling for the Scottish Government to back a Fiscal Framework deal that would be bad for Scotland but it is simply astounding that Labour appears to be doing the same.

“The SNP government is committed to securing the powers Scotland was promised, underpinned by a financial deal that is fair to both Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“It is plain common sense, however, that no government would sign up to any deal that would systematically cut their budget, or that any member of our national parliament would back such an arrangement.

“Kezia Dugdale needs to make clear that when it comes to the Fiscal Framework, Labour are on the side of the people of Scotland and not the Tory Treasury.”

Sturgeon Launches SNP Guarantee to Labour Supporters

SNP ‘THE ONLY PARTY WILLING TO STAND UP TO TORY POLICY’
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today launched the SNP Guarantee to Labour voters as she met with former supporters of the party who are now putting their faith in the SNP.

The National

Campaigning in Paisley, the First Minister set out how a strong team of SNP MPs will stop a Tory government getting off the ground and will stand up for progressive politics at Westminster – and urged people who still intend to vote Labour to instead put their trust in the SNP to make Scotland’s voice heard.

The SNP Guarantee to Labour voters is:

• SNP MPs will vote to lock the Tories out of Downing Street
• We’ll put an end to austerity cuts with modest increases in public spending to create jobs and support public services
• The SNP will support an additional £9.5bn funding boost for the NHS across the UK – meaning Scotland’s health budget would rise by a total of £2bn by 2020.
• We’ll promote Fair Work – with a minimum wage of £8.70 and an end to exploitative zero hours contracts
• SNP MPs will never vote to spend £100bn on Trident renewal and will invest the money in public services instead

The latest YouGov poll shows that 41 per cent of people who voted Labour in the 2010 General Election - the equivalent of around 400,000 people - intend to vote SNP next month – and that 71 per cent of 2010 Labour voters think that Nicola Sturgeon is doing a good job as First Minister.

Commenting, Ms Sturgeon said:

“The Labour leadership has taken people in Scotland for granted for far too long – and now they are beginning to pay the price as more and more people put their faith in the SNP to make Scotland’s voice heard.

“From cosying up to the Tories during the referendum campaign to voting for George Osborne’s plans for a further £30bn of austerity cuts, Labour has shown time and time again that they can’t be trusted to stand up to the Tories.

“In 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992 and 2010, Scotland voted for Labour but ended up with a Tory government – and we can’t let this happen again. With more anti-Tory MPs than Tory MPs elected in May we can lock David Cameron out of Downing Street. We’ve been absolutely clear that SNP MPs will vote to stop a Tory government even getting off the ground – Ed Miliband now needs to give the same commitment.

“And while Labour have meekly fallen in line with George Osborne’s austerity plans and backed the Tories on spending £100bn on a new generation of nuclear weapons, the SNP has put forward a plan which would put an end to Westminster austerity and invest money in the NHS, education and childcare rather than in weapons of mass destruction.

“The SNP is the only party which is standing firmly against the Tories’ austerity agenda. No wonder more and more people are moving away from a Labour party which has been far too quick to simply copy Tory policies – and are instead putting their faith in the SNP to stand up for Scotland’s interests.

“For these reasons, today I’m asking people who are intending to vote Labour to instead put their trust in the SNP.

“A strong team of SNP MPs holding the balance of power will lock the Tories out of Downing Street, put an end to austerity and ensure the progressive politics Labour supporters hold dear are firmly on Westminster’s agenda. That’s why so many former Labour members and voters have already moved towards the SNP – and why I’m urging others to do so between now and polling day.”

Sturgeon Challenges Labour Leader to Back SNP Plans for NHS Investment

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will later today challenge Labour leader Ed Miliband to back SNP proposals to invest in Scotland’s NHS.

The SNP's NHS plan to invest in growth would free up resources to allow Scotland's NHS budget to increase by a total of £2 billion by 2020 – as part of an overall proposal to increase NHS spending across the UK by £24 billion - £9.5 billion above inflation.

Ms Sturgeon said:

"Westminster's harsh cuts agenda has completely failed - and Tory NHS privatisation and cuts is putting the health service south of the border at risk, threatening to harm Scotland's budget in the process.

"I have outlined plans for a modest spending increase at Westminster - which will not only bring an end to the failed austerity agenda, but will enable us to increase spending on Scotland’s NHS by a total of £2 billion by 2020.

"This is a clear example of the progressive politics a strong team of SNP MPs will stand for at Westminster. It is time for Labour to step out of the shadow of the Tories and do the right thing for the NHS in Scotland and across the UK."

Nicola Sturgeon to Set Out Plan to Combat Child Poverty

SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon will today set out key measures that SNP MPs will prioritise at Westminster in order to combat child poverty in Scotland and across the UK.

Under current coalition plans, one million additional children are expected to grow up in poverty by 2020 across the UK, taking the level of child poverty to 5 million. In Scotland, this would mean an additional 100,000 children growing up in poverty.

The IFS has estimated that Westminster benefit cuts have saved the public purse just £2.5 billion, and according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation the cost to society of such cuts will total £29 billion in the short and long-term impact to children’s life chances.

Commenting, SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Years of Westminster austerity have harmed the poorest ten per cent of households harder than anyone else – hitting families with children hard. That is only set to continue with all of the Westminster parties signed up to a further £30 billion of austerity cuts and the Tories planning to slash welfare spending by £12 billion.

“The absolute last people who should be paying the price of austerity cuts are children, yet that is precisely what is happening under the plans of all of the Westminster establishment parties.

“The UK Government’s current plans will see one million additional children across the UK grow up in poverty, 100,000 of whom will be in Scotland.

“That is a damning statistic and one that must be addressed, yet Labour are failing to offer an alternative.

“A strong team of SNP MPs will be a powerful voice for Scotland at Westminster - demanding action to tackle the scourge of child poverty, because no child should have to grow up in poverty in this rich country."

Sturgeon Launches Pensioners Plan to Protect Interests of Scotland's Older People

TRIPLE LOCK ON PENSIONS, SINGLE TIER PENSION RATE AND OPPOSITION TO INCREASE IN STATE PENSION AGE ANNOUNCED
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will today launch the SNP’s Pensioners Plan - setting out how a strong team of SNP MPs will protect the interests of Scotland’s older people.

Sturgeon on the YES trail in 2014

Meeting older voters at a care home in East Dunbartonshire, the First Minister will announce a range of policies the SNP will push for to deliver a better deal for pensioners, including:

• The retention of the Triple Lock to ensure that the state pension increases every year either by inflation, in line with wages or by 2.5 per cent – whichever is higher.
• A Single Tier Pension rate of at least £160 to lift pensioners out of means tested benefits.
• A guarantee that there should be no further increase in the state pension age in Scotland while life expectancy still lags behind the rest of the UK and Europe.
• A pledge that the SNP will oppose any attempts to end the Winter Fuel Allowance which so many pensioners rely on.

The SNP has already taken strong action in government to protect the interests of pensioners in Scotland – including investing in free personal care and the concessionary travel scheme.

Commenting, Ms Sturgeon said:

“I am immensely proud of the SNP’s record in government when it comes to standing up for our older people

“We've protected and extended the concessionary travel scheme which gives people the freedom they need to enjoy their lives.

“And free personal care which ensures our older people receive the standard of care they deserve regardless of their ability to pay has been one of the biggest landmarks of the devolution era.

“But there is undoubtedly more that could be done at Westminster to build on our progress in Scotland and protect the interests of older people.

“SNP MPs will push Westminster to retain the Triple Lock on pensions – meaning our older people benefit from real increases on their pensions at a time when so many people are struggling with the cost of living. And the SNP will continue to make the case for a single tier pension rate of at least £160 a week to ensure pensioners are no longer subjected to the scourge of means tested benefits.

“The Tory/Lib Dem government’s plan to further increase the state pension age is a worry to people across the UK who are planning for their future – but the failure to take Scotland’s specific circumstances into account is particularly unfair.

“Our comparatively low life expectancy rate is an issue which I will do everything in my power to change – but in the meantime it would be completely unacceptable for people in Scotland who have paid in to a state pension all of their lives to lose out. That is why SNP MPs will reject any plans for a further increase in the state pension age.

“Our pensioners have contributed hugely to society, and are entitled to get a fair deal in their retirement in return.

“A strong team of SNP MPs holding the balance of power will ensure that the contribution older people have made throughout their lives is recognised – and will deliver a new and better deal for pensioners in Scotland.”

Nicola Sturgeon to Set Out SNP Pensioners Plan

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will today launch the SNP’s Pensioners Plan - setting out how a strong team of SNP MPs will protect the interests of Scotland’s older people.

While visiting a care home in East Dunbartonshire, the First Minister will announce a range of policies the SNP will push for to stand up for pensioners.

The SNP has already taken strong action in government to protect the interests of pensioners in Scotland – including investing in free personal care and the concessionary travel scheme – and will set out details of what SNP MPs at Westminster will push for on behalf of older people.

Commenting, SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon said:

“I am immensely proud of the SNP’s record in government when it comes to standing up for our older people

“We've protected and extended the concessionary travel scheme which gives people the freedom they need to enjoy their live.

“And free personal care which ensures our older people receive the standard of care they deserve regardless of their ability to pay has been one of the biggest landmarks of the devolution era.

“But there is undoubtedly more that could be done at Westminster to build on our progress in Scotland and protect the interests of older people.

“Our pensioners have contributed hugely to society, and are entitled to get a fair deal in their retirement in return.

“A strong team of SNP MPs holding the balance of power will ensure that the contribution older people have made throughout their lives is recognised – and will deliver a new and better deal for pensioners in Scotland.”

Poll Shows Nicola Sturgeon Most Popular Leader Across UK

A poll showing that SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is more popular across the UK than any of the Westminster party leaders has been welcomed today.

A YouGov poll in today’s Sun makes clear that the First Minister has a net approval rating across the UK of +7, compared to David Cameron’s net rating of -5, Ed Miliband’s net rating of -39 and Nick Clegg’s net rating of -47.

Amongst respondents in England alone, Nicola Sturgeon is the only party leader who has a positive approval rating – with a net rating of +5.

Commenting, SNP Depute Leader Stewart Hosie MP said:

“These are remarkable ratings for Nicola Sturgeon - she is the only political leader in the UK to have positive approval figures in England, as well as north of the border.

“While David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg are all viewed negatively south of the border - the three identikit representatives of an out-of-touch Westminster system - Nicola has positive ratings in every region of England.

“These figures underline that the SNP providing a strong voice for Scotland and helping deliver progressive policies across the whole UK is a winning formula among people in England as well as Scotland.”

Sturgeon Committed to Seeing Aberdeen and North East Thrive

FM IN SCOTLAND’S ENERGY CAPITAL FOR LAST DATE OF BOOKED-OUT TOUR
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is today underlining her commitment to the North East as her tour of Scotland reaches Aberdeen.

When her tour concludes today, she will have spoken to over 18,000 people in six different parts of the country – including a booked-out appearance at the 12,000 capacity SSE Hydro in Glasgow. Tickets for the tour were all booked within 24 hours.

As well as this, around 340,000 more people took part in Ms Sturgeon’s first Facebook Q&A as First Minister and the first YouTube Q&A the SNP has ever held.

Ahead of her first visit to Aberdeen since becoming First Minister just over two weeks ago, Ms Sturgeon has outlined investment the Scottish Government has made in the North East. This includes Small Business Bonus support for 2,045 Aberdeen small businesses, investment in improving transport links and savings of around £1,800 for the average Band D home as a result of the Council Tax Freeze.

Speaking ahead of the event, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“As First Minister I am determined to lead a government for all of Scotland – and I am delighted to be making my first visit to the North East just over two weeks after becoming leader.

“For me, one of the most positive aspects of the referendum campaign was talking to thousands of people at town hall events across the country. I want to keep that conversation going – and that is why I have pledged to be the most accessible First Minister ever, with regular town hall events and online Q&As.

“As our energy capital, Aberdeen is an absolutely vital part of Scotland’s economy. I want to see Aberdeen and the North East thrive.

“Improving infrastructure is a key part of that. This year’s budget contained further funding for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, and we are also committed to improving the Inverness to Aberdeen railway line. This will see journey times cut to around two hours between the two cities.

“Since 2008, small businesses in Aberdeen have received £25.4m through the SNP Government’s Small Business Bonus scheme. As at September this year, 2,045 small businesses in Aberdeen were receiving support.

“As well as this, the average Band D home in Aberdeen will be around £1,800 better off by 2016 as a result of our council tax freeze. This is in stark contrast to when Labour were in power and council tax increased by 73 per cent.

“And through our social wage with the people of Scotland, families in the North East are benefitting from free prescriptions, free school meals, a commitment to the Living Wage for all public sector workers under Scottish Government pay policy and the roll out of 600 hours of free childcare for all 3, 4 and vulnerable two year olds.

“This important investment in the future of the North East will continue as long as I am First Minister – and the Scottish Government will continue to provide the support needed to enable this to happen.”

Sealed with a kiss

Labour abandoned the social justice agenda in Scotland. That will be the daily business of the SNP.

These are good days in which to become First Minister and leader of the SNP.

When Alex Salmond became leader in 1990, the SNP had just four MPs at Westminster. There was no Scottish Parliament, or even the prospect of one, and Scotland was governed by Tory Secretary of State Malcolm Rifkind.

Changed days indeed, and a huge amount of the credit for that goes to Alex. I am fortunate enough to be about to lead a majority SNP government, we are the third biggest political party in the UK in terms of membership, and the last three polls have all put the SNP ahead of Labour for next year's General Election.

And yet core tasks remain the same. Working day in and day out - now with the huge benefits of being in government - to advance the interests of the people of Scotland, and moving our country towards independence.

This article was written for the
Sunday Herald

As I look forward to assuming the leadership at this week's conference, I am fortunate enough to stand on a solid platform of achievement in government since 2007.

Thanks, in part, to the work of the Scottish Government, Scotland now has lower unemployment and higher employment than the rest of the UK. We have the lowest level of youth employment for six years.

Our Scottish Welfare Fund has given support to more than 100,000 vulnerable households hit by Westminster austerity, and we've taken action to cancel out the impact of the iniquitous Bedroom Tax.

We have restored free education, and are protecting the vital policy of free personal care for elderly people.

These policies reflect my commitment to fairness and social solidarity.

Any government led by me will have a relentless focus on improving the public services and economy of Scotland, and tackling inequality. As a former Health Secretary, I will ensure that the NHS in particular will continue to command the highest priority, as a publicly owned and publicly funded service. That's why in our budget published last month we increased health funding by £80 million more than originally planned.

Scotland is moving forward, and I am pledged to use every power I have at my disposal at any point in time to keep building on this record.

Politics is changing in Scotland, and the pace of that change was hastened by the referendum. Old loyalties are shifting, often very quickly, as we have seen with the rapid reduction in support for Labour in the weeks since. When push came to shove, Labour showed in the referendum that its first loyalty was to the Westminster system, even to the extent of working hand in glove with a Tory government to keep power there.

In that sense, Labour showed itself to be a party with an over-riding constitutional objective to at least the same extent as the SNP.

Traditionally, the SNP has been viewed as mainly focused on the Scottish constitution, and of course an independent Scotland remains our objective for all the many reasons set out in the referendum.

The SNP will always be seen as the party of progress for Scotland - and I believe that will be a powerful and mobilising message in the forthcoming General Election campaign. But under my leadership I also want the SNP to be regarded as the party of social and economic progress for people. That was the province of the old Liberal Party in 19th century Scotland, and then of a radically reforming Labour Party in the 20th century. But that is no more. The social democratic record of the SNP administration is strong, and one that I want to continually improve. And the reputational damage done to the Labour Party by its referendum alliance with the Tories - when it showed that it has far more in common with the interests of a right-wing Westminster administration than its own core voters in Scotland - will last for a generation or more.

Labour abandoned the social justice agenda in Scotland, preferring to align itself with the transient trappings of Westminster power - which yet again could prove to be a fool's errand next May. By contrast, that agenda of a fair society bolstered by a strong economy is one that will be the daily business of the party and government I look forward to leading.

People are looking at Scotland anew since 18 September. Many folk are reassessing where they stand in terms of political allegiance, and many more are engaging with party politics for the very first time. This new thinking is creating new opportunities for the SNP and Scotland.

Sturgeon Pledge - 'Strong Government in Powerhouse Parliament'

LEADER-DESIGNATE TO TOUR SCOTLAND WITH POSITIVE VISION FOR FUTURE

Nicola Sturgeon, who is the sole nominee to be the new leader of the Scottish National Party, has today pledged to deliver strong and competent government in a powerhouse Parliament, as she put job creation, fairness, protection of public services and the delivery of extensive new powers for the Scottish Parliament at the heart of her plans to lead the SNP and Scotland.

She also announced that she will embark on a tour of Scotland, with a series of major events to rally and engage the tens of thousands of new members who have joined the Scottish National Party since the referendum. Party membership has gone from around 25,000 on referendum day to over 80,000 and rising. These events will give new members the opportunity to attend major events at a local level, over and above the Party's Annual National Conference which will take place in Perth next month - and at which Ms Sturgeon will formally take over as Party Leader.

Although the events are principally for new members, they will also be an opportunity to engage beyond SNP ranks and build new support, with each new member invited to bring along someone who is not yet a member or supporter of the SNP.

Ms Sturgeon will deliver a keynote speech at each of the events setting out her vision for the way forward for the SNP and for Scotland, and take questions from the audience.

The events are:

• Edinburgh, Wednesday 29 October, Corn Exchange
• Dumfries, Friday 31 October, Easterbrook Hall
• Dundee, Friday 7 November, Caird Hall
• Inverness, Monday 10 November, Eden Court Theatre
• Glasgow, Saturday 22 November, The SSE Hydro
• Aberdeen, Sunday 7 December, Music Hall

In addition, on Tuesday 11 November, Ms Sturgeon will take part in an online interview and Facebook Q&A session for new members in rural and remote parts of Scotland.

The largest event in the series will be a capacity crowd of 12,000 at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, making it the largest indoor political gathering held in Scotland - or indeed anywhere in the UK - in recent times.

Ms Sturgeon said:

"It is a privilege to have been chosen by the SNP to succeed Alex Salmond as Party Leader. Alex is a hard act to follow but I am determined to lead the SNP - and the country - from strength to strength.

"The SNP was re-elected in 2011 on the basis of our record as a good government. My job will to be to build on that record and deliver strong, competent government with job creation, fairness and the protection of high quality public services at its heart. If elected by Parliament to be the next First Minister, that will be my priority each and every day that I hold office.

"I will also work to ensure that the Scottish Parliament gets the extensive new powers that Scotland was promised before the referendum. I will always make the case for Scotland to be an independent country, but with the Westminster parties already backsliding on the delivery of new powers, my immediate job will be to hold them firmly to account - and I am today putting them on notice that I intend to do just that.

"Of course, the SNP that I will lead has grown dramatically in recent weeks and we are now the third largest political party in the UK. We are in great heart as we look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.

"Our new members bring a new energy and dynamism - and not just to the SNP. They are also a potent force who can help Scotland progress as a country.

"I am looking forward to meeting as many of our new recruits as possible and sharing with them my vision for the future. The tour of Scotland that I will undertake in the next few weeks also sets the template for the kind of First Minister I want to be - open, accessible and determined to work with others across the political divide to find common cause and build a better country.

"The hope, excitement and sense of opportunity of the referendum campaign did not end on polling day. It is alive, well and growing. This is a great time for Scotland and I look forward to leading my party and our country to even better times ahead."