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I believe that the UK Government’s hostile approach to migration is failing Scotland, and putting our economy and vital public services on the line.   The EU Settlement Scheme is a product of a Tory Government, who disregard the fact that some EU nationals, who call Scotland their home, face the threat of losing their right to live and work here. If Boris Johnson hadn't dragged Scotland out of the EU against our will, there would be no need for a settlement scheme. However, the danger is that much worse will follow in July after the deadline for applications passes and people are stripped of their rights overnight. This includes EU nationals who have been at the front line of the effort against the pandemic, including in Scotland’s health and Social…

The SNP are committed to tackling the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, which are among the most important challenges of this generation. Tackling them is central to our green recovery from Covid-19.  Scotland is leading the world in our move to end climate change and restore biodiversity in Scotland. We were the first country in the UK to declare a climate emergency and have since passed legislation for the world’s most ambitious emissions reduction targets. The high-level statement of intent on biodiversity, published in December, set out the SNP Government’s ambition, including a commitment to protect at least 30% of our land for nature, as well as the 37% of our seas that are already protected. The statement of intent commits to commissioning advice on whether Scotland can…

I believe the 70th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention should be an opportunity for the UK Government to reflect on what more can be done to protect those escaping unimaginable horrors and danger. Instead we have a UK government intent on undermining the Refugee Convention and international law, simply disregarding international obligations that it signed up to. The SNP will always reject the Tories’ disgraceful rhetoric. It is not illegal to enter the UK to claim asylum and the Refugee Convention makes this clear. The UK Government have shown time and time again their disregard for some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Scotland has made clear it wants nothing to do with their cruel asylum and immigration policies but the Scottish Parliament needs immigration powers devolved…

The SNP is clear that everyone with sight loss deserves the opportunity to live life to the full and that the lives and rights of disabled people should be protected during this pandemic and beyond.  I agree with the SNP that sight loss should be a focus for the next Scottish Parliament to ensure that visually impaired people can access early treatment and support, have fairer chances in education and employment as well as more inclusive communities and accessible communication.  We believe that there is also a need to raise awareness of the impact of the current pandemic on people with visual impairment and we commend all the charities, including Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, working throughout Scotland to provide vital support for people living with visual impairment.  The…

The SNP is delighted to support the #SocialEconomyPledge prepared by some of our country’s most valued NGOs and coordinated by Social Enterprise Scotland. My priority for the Scottish Government is tackling Covid-19 and delivering a strong, fair and green recovery for Scotland and it is clear the third sector will be central to achieving the wellbeing economy and renewal we all want to see.  The SNP recognise the vital role of charities, social enterprises and community groups in supporting and empowering the most excluded and at-risk in society and, if re-elected, we look forward to continuing our partnership approach in government with a strong sector. In particular, we look forward to working with the sector to implement our wellbeing agenda and our policy pledges so far, whether it be the…

The SNP and I value and are deeply grateful for the hard work and commitment of all carers. Supporting care workers has been a priority for the SNP both before and during the pandemic. If re-elected, the SNP will create a National Care Service. The SNP will also introduce a National Wage for carers, to ensure that the value of the wages of our social care workforce better reflects the value of the work they do. The SNP has a proud record of delivering progressive policies in Government to take Scotland forward and build a fairer society. Since October 2016, the SNP Scottish Government has provided funding to enable adult social care workers to be paid the real living wage for waking hours. During 2018/19, this was extended to include those…

Scotland is a tolerant modern country and I am committed to helping build a society which respects freedom of thought, religion and belief, including non-religious beliefs. Scotland is leading the world on tackling the twin crises of climate change and ecological decline and the SNP are proud to have the most ambitious legal framework for emissions reduction in the world. In December, the SNP Scottish Government updated its Climate Change Plan with more than 100 new policies, putting Scotland on a pathway to meet its emissions targets over the period to 2032, and helping to achieve a just transition to net zero by 2045. Just transition principles, and the importance of equity, engagement and planning, are being embedded across government policy. This includes the Emerging Energy Technologies Fund which will…

If re-elected, the SNP will immediately begin work on introducing a National Care Service, to deliver better and more consistent care across the country - as well as a National Wage for care staff. Providing high quality, person centred care for people towards the end of life is an important priority for me and the SNP. I believe that good care at the end of life requires collaborative, multi-disciplinary support, which is why Integration Authorities have been given statutory responsibility for meeting this need. Due to the challenges associated with the pandemic, we are seeing more people being cared for in community and homely settings. That is why last year the SNP Government provided additional resource to Integration Authorities to help ensure that those being cared for in the community, including…

The SNP remain committed to improving neurological care and support in Scotland, including for people with epilepsy. There are a number of challenges that neurological conditions present the health and social care system and, while much has been achieved and is being done to address this, more can always be done. That is why the SNP Government published a five-year action plan, running until 2025, to support people with a neurological condition. The action plan, supported by £4.5 million, contains five overarching aims and 17 commitments to support improvements that span health and social care. The action plan, which was developed with the neurological community, will ensure people get access to personalised care and support regardless of their particular condition or where in Scotland they live. The plan also aims…

I believe that pay discrimination is unacceptable and equal pay claims should be settled as quickly as possible.  If re-elected, the SNP would encourage all parties to settle claims quickly and amicably. Councils, including the local Labour Party run West Lothian Council, are independent bodies and so it is for the council itself to resolve the claims. Therefore, we would expect this to be done in a way that is fair both to the claimants and to the council’s wider electorate. Fiona Hyslop