Anas Sarwar set to unveil Scottish Labour’s manifesto

Anas Sarwar is set to unveil Scottish Labour’s manifesto later today. 

He will describe the general election as an opportunity for change “for this generation, and the next”. 

His messaging will look to “give back hope and opportunity” to young people and he will urge all voters to think about the next generation of Scots when they cast their ballot.

Under Labour’s plans 200,000 Scottish people, including 40,000 young people, will receive a pay rise as it intends to end age bands and introduce a genuine living wage. 

Labour’s manifesto will set out a ban on exploitative zero hours contracts and day one rights to sick leave, parental leave and unfair dismissal, a permanent new comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme to support first time buyers, and clean energy by 2030 – which the party say will help slash energy bills. 

It has also pledged to install the headquarters of GB Energy in Scotland, reform and replace the House of Lords, and give 16- and 17-year-olds the vote in general elections. 

Ahead of the manifesto launch, John Swinney has issued a challenge to Sarwar to go against Keir Starmer’s plans to keep the two-child cap and back the SNP’s plans to scrap it.  

SNP will unveil its manifesto this Wednesday.  

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will say: “This election is an opportunity to deliver change for everyone in Scotland right now. But this election is also about the next generation of Scots and the future we build for them. 

“Giving them back hope and opportunity. Opportunities for their own future so that every young Scot can fill their true potential; and hope for Scotland’s future.” 

He will add: “We will do this by improving access to apprenticeships, supporting first-time buyers, creating those jobs in the industries of the future, and delivering a pay rise for 40,000 young Scots. 

“Labour will look after young people from cradle to career. 

“No matter a child’s background they should leave education equipped with the skills they need for work and life. 

“Labour will spread opportunity at every age, because every child should believe that success belongs to them.   

“Under the Tories, thousands are stuck in poverty pay – and under the SNP youth unemployment has risen, and opportunities have been taken away. 

“I promise the young people of Scotland that this is not as good as it gets. 

“This election is the chance to deliver a decade of national renewal, and this manifesto is a blueprint to a brighter future. 

“It’s an opportunity to change Scotland for this generation – and the next. It’s an opportunity we need to make sure we don’t miss.” 

Swinney said: “The two-child cap is a reprehensible Tory policy that experts say is a key driver of the scourge of child poverty – keeping around 300,000 children across the UK in poverty. 

“That Labour under Keir Starmer intend to continue with this Tory policy makes clear just how far removed they are from Scotland’s values. 

“I am calling on Anas Sarwar and Labour in Scotland to join with me in demanding that Keir Starmer immediately change course and abandon this hated Tory policy. 

“If Labour’s manifesto is to be believed, they have the financial headroom to scrap this policy – that they are refusing to do so is clearly an attempt to talk tough on social security as they seek right-wing votes south of the border. 

“Politics is about choices – and Labour is choosing to prioritise austerity over lifting thousands of children out of poverty.  It is a completely indefensible political decision. 

“Anas Sarwar also has a choice – he can choose doing the right thing for vulnerable children in Scotland, or doing what he is told by Keir Starmer.  That is a decision that will speak volumes – and the people of Scotland will be watching. 

“The SNP is the only party that will always put Scotland’s interests first and is the only party standing on the left of centre values that the vast majority of people in Scotland share. 

“While Labour in Scotland stand up for Keir Starmer, the SNP will stand up for Scotland.”