Labour sets out its vision for Glasgow
25 March 2017
Labour today launches its vision for Glasgow with a pledge to build on the successes of the last five years.
Ahead of the council election in May, the party’s Deputy Leader Tom Watson MP and Glasgow City Council leader Frank McAveety promised to continue to invest in the city, despite £1.5billion of SNP cuts to local services across Scotland since 2010/11.
Nationalist ministers have slashed £377million from Glasgow’s budget over the last decade.
But despite austerity cuts by the SNP, Scottish Labour councillors in Glasgow have:
· Invested more than £250 million in schools, revolutionising our school estate
· Built nearly twice as many homes as originally forecast
· Created 8000 jobs as part of the Glasgow Guarantee
· Delivered the Commonwealth Games for Glasgow
Scottish Labour councillors have pledged to build on this record with a relentless focus on creating jobs in the city, investing in education and banishing fuel poverty.
Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson MP said:
“The SNP is a party that willingly continues to impose cuts on the people of Glasgow.
“Nicola Sturgeon has passed on Tory cuts to her own city and all of Scotland.
“The SNP joined with the Tories four times to vote against asking the richest to pay their fair share to invest in local services
“Despite SNP austerity, it is Labour councillors who are fighting day in, day out for Glasgow.
“It is Labour councillors who have invested in the city’s schools and services, created jobs and built houses.
“Voters in Glasgow and across the country can send the SNP a message in May – stop dividing our country and get on with the job of investing in local services.”
Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
"Five years ago we said we would unashamedly stand up for Glasgow above all else.
“We said we would invest in schools, build new homes and create more jobs. And we said we would deliver the best ever Commonwealth Games.
“Glasgow Labour has not just delivered on our promises, we have exceeded them.
“Glasgow Labour's manifesto is a plan for the next 5 years. It is a plan to move Glasgow forward, not backwards with another divisive referendum.
“It is a plan that will guarantee a job for every 18-24 year old, it is a plan to deliver 30 hours free childcare for every 3 and 4 year old and it is a plan that will see us build 25,000 new houses.
“When voters go to the polls they have a choice. They can choose to invest in childcare, in schools and in jobs.
“It's a choice to provide 21st century housing in a 21st century city, to support families and tackle inequality.
“It's a choice to move Glasgow forward and put Glasgow first."