16 May 2017

Manifesto a ‘radical vision for the many, not the few’ – Kez

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has today hailed the UK Labour manifesto as a ‘radical vision for the many, not the few.’

Labour’s manifesto was launched by Jeremy Corbyn in Bradford, and includes a raft of commitments that will transform lives across the UK, including:

–          A £10 minimum wage.
–          Public ownership of utilities, including our railways.
–          Fairer taxes on big corporations to invest in public services

You can read Labour's manifesto here.

A Labour government will also pledge to:

–          Oppose an unwanted and unnecessary second independence referendum.
–          Establish a People’s Constitutional Convention that will consider the option of a more federal UK.
–          Abolish the abhorrent rape clause.
–          Safeguard the future of the vital North Sea oil industry.
–          Complete the HS2 high-speed rail line from London through Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester and then into Scotland.
–          Establish a Scottish Investment Bank, with £20 billion of funds available to local projects and Scotland’s small businesses.
–          Urge the Scottish Government to hold an inquiry into the actions of Scottish police during the miners’ strike.

Speaking at the manifesto launch in Bradford, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said:

“This manifesto is a radical vision for a country that works for the many, not just a privileged few.

“Scottish Labour believes that together we’re stronger. A vote for Labour on June 8 is a vote to end Tory austerity and tell Nicola Sturgeon that Scotland doesn’t want a divisive second independence referendum.”

A Labour government led by Jeremy Corbyn will abolish the Tories’ abhorrent ‘rape clause’ policy across the UK.

The 'rape clause' forces women who have conceived a child as a result of rape to fill out an eight-page form to claim tax credits if it's the woman's third child.

Last month, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale used a Holyrood debate to read out the powerful and moving testimony from a woman who conceived a child following rape.

But Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has repeatedly defended the 'rape clause'.

Labour’s UK manifesto states: “The cuts to work allowances in Universal Credit (UC), and the decision to limit tax credit and UC payments to the first two children in a family, are an attack on low-income families and will increase child poverty.

“Labour will reform and redesign UC, ending six-week delays in payment and the ‘rape clause’.”

UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “Labour will end the abhorrent rape clause across the UK.

“Kezia Dugdale’s powerful speech in the Scottish Parliament demonstrated the heart-breaking reality of the rape clause.

"Theresa May and Ruth Davidson should be ashamed of this policy.

“Only a Labour government that works for the many, not the few, can bring this policy to an end.”

Constituency: East Lothian

Candidate: Martin Whitfield 

About the candidate: Martin lives in East Lothian and teaches in Prestonpans Primary School. He is a community campaigner, and has been involved in causes like the Grace's Sign Campaign for people with hidden disabilities and has campaigned to improve local train services.

The choice at this election: Labour's Iain Gray won the equivalent Scottish Parliament constituency seat in 2016, and at the 2017 local government election Labour beat the SNP and the Tories. It will be a close fight and every vote will count. Only Labour can beat the SNP here.  The Tories aren't at the races.

Martin said: "I'm delighted and honoured to stand for the East Lothian constituency, where I live and work.

"I love East Lothian and know that it has been let down time and again by the SNP. My promise in this campaign is simple.  I will always stand up for East Lothian and always put its interests first.

"On June 8 we can send a powerful message to Nicola Sturgeon that we do not want another divisive independence referendum, but instead a fair share for our schools, hospitals and other local services.  Only Labour can beat the SNP in East Lothian, and it’s time for an MP who is focused on this county not another referendum."

15 May 2017

Almost half a million food parcels handed out since 2011

Food banks have handed out nearly half a million emergency food parcels under the SNP and the Tories, new analysis from Scottish Labour reveals. 

Labour analysis of Trussell Trust figures shows that, since figures began being recorded, 488,766 three-day emergency food parcels were handed out, with more than 150,000 going to children.

Further cuts would drive more families into poverty and towards food banks. A Labour government would deliver a real living wage of £10 an hour and invest in local services.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said:

“Under the Tories and the SNP nearly half a million emergency food parcels have been handed out to people across Scotland.

“That’s the brutal reality of two governments more obsessed with the constitution than delivering for working families. In a country as wealthy as Scotland it should shame the SNP and the Tories that working families can’t afford to feed themselves.

“A Labour government will end austerity in the UK. Labour will invest in local services, abolish the bedroom tax and deliver a real living wage of £10 an hour.

“That’s the difference a Labour government can make. Labour will focus on the day job, while the SNP obsesses with independence and the Tories drive us towards a hard Brexit.

“Every Scottish Labour MP we send to the House of Commons will oppose austerity and fight for the best Brexit deal for Britain. 

“On 8 June we can send Nicola Sturgeon a message that she should focus on the day job instead of trying to force another divisive independence referendum.”

Agree with our plan? Help share our message. 

Nicola Sturgeon’s obsession with independence has led to a lost generation in our schools, Kezia Dugdale has said.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale will visit Better World Books in Dunfermline today to highlight the SNP’s woeful record on education.

Recent figures show standards in reading, writing and numeracy have all fallen during the SNP’s decade of division, including:

·         There are 4000 fewer teachers and 1000 fewer school support staff since the SNP came to office in 2007

·         There are 700 vacancies in our schools that will take at least three years to fill

·         Class sizes are among the highest in the developed world

·         In literacy, the gap between the richest pupils and the rest has not closed

·         Standards in reading and writing have fallen since 2012

·         In numeracy, standards have fallen and the gap between the richest and the rest increased

Ms Dugdale said voters have the chance on June 8 to tell Nicola Sturgeon to drop her obsession with a divisive second independence referendum and instead fix the mess she has made of our schools.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said:

“Nicola Sturgeon claims education is her top priority – but these figures prove all she cares about is independence.

“During the SNP’s decade of division, we have seen nothing but declining standards and growing class sizes.

“SNP neglect has led to a lost generation of Scottish children who are simply not getting the education they need and deserve.

“Voters in Scotland and across the UK have the chance on June 8 to tell Nicola Sturgeon to stop obsessing about independence and get on with the job of fixing the mess she has made of our schools.

“A Labour government would invest in education and stand for the many, not the few.”