Scottish Liberal Democrats provide “Solutions for Scotland”
The manifesto will provide the way forward for young people, older people, first time house buyers and local businesses in Rutherglen, Cambuslang and Blantyre – focusing on employment, education and local services, with core plans to create 100,000 new jobs, and an initiative to encourage large companies to bring more of Scotland’s young people into work. Scottish Water will be reformed, which will generate £1.5 billion to put to use on the job generation plans. More money will be provided for colleges, and there are promises to cut paperwork for teachers, alongside red tape for businesses. The poorest pensioners will be exempt from paying council tax, and £21 million will be allocated to first time buyers for use in shared equity schemes. Lisa said: “Our manifesto sets out long term solutions for Scotland, not short term populist fixes. I am confident it will be well received by local people in Rutherglen, Cambuslang and Blantyre. “The Liberal Democrat programme is hugely practical and relevant to people’s current problems. It focuses on jobs, opportunities for young people, and keeping services local for local people. “Our plans to reform Scottish Water will bring in £1.5 billion to the public purse, which can be used to generate 100,000 jobs. “On top of that, we will encourage Scotland’s private sector to offer more jobs and work experience to unemployed young people. “Small businesses will benefit from a cut in red tape, and head teachers will fill in less forms, and gain more discretion over how they run their schools. “The longstanding Liberal Democrat commitment to fairness underpins plans to keep university free in Scotland, exempt the poorest pensioners from council tax, and help the younger generation climb onto what can seem like an inaccessible housing ladder. “It’s a manifesto which looks to the future, whilst learning lessons from the country’s recent turbulent economic past. “Only the Liberal Democrats are ambitious enough to help Scotland move up and move forward.”
Rutherglen Liberal Democrat Scottish Parliament candidate Lisa Strachan has welcomed the launch of the Scottish Liberal Democrat manifesto, aimed at providing long term solutions for Scotland.