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The SNP takes the issue of animal welfare very seriously and has delivered a number of improvements to animal welfare in recent years. Most recently, the Animals and Wildlife (Scotland) Act 2020 increased the available penalties for the most serious offences against kept animals and wildlife.  Legislation for a modern licensing system for dog, cat and rabbit breeders, pet sellers, animal sanctuaries and animal rehoming activities was approved by the Scottish Parliament in February. The regulations also end the third-party sale of puppies and kittens.  From 1 July 2021, CCTV coverage will be mandatory for all areas where live animals are present. With a focus on the pandemic, the SNP Government were not able to bring forward the proposed fox control Bill in the timetable originally planned. However, we remain…

I fully recognise that the past year of the coronavirus pandemic has had an immense strain on our mental health. Therefore, the SNP will remobilise, strengthen and protect our NHS. If re-elected, we will significantly expand community mental health services.  Investment in and reform of mental health services, especially for children and young people, was already a pre-pandemic priority for the SNP. The stress and trauma of Covid-19 has made that support even more necessary and urgent. The SNP has committed to more than doubling the budget for mental health and autism in the coming financial year in comparison to the 2020/21 budget. This will take the total anticipated spend on mental health in 2021/22 to in excess of £1.2 billion.  Additionally, in response to the mental health impacts of…

The Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies do not provide funding for the manufacture of munitions. Its agencies’ support is focused solely on helping firms to diversify and to develop non-military applications for their technology. This has included investment supporting opportunities in blue-light and civilian markets, such as through radars for civilian search and rescue missions. With over 16,000 employees, the aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors, make an important contribution to the Scottish economy - however, the UK Government is responsible for setting an ethical arms export policy which is something that they have shamefully refused to do.  With over 16,000 employees, the aerospace, defence and shipbuilding sectors, make an important contribution to the Scottish economy - however, the SNP believes this must be carried out in the context of an ethical arms…

The SNP values and is deeply grateful for the hard work and commitment of all carers. Supporting unpaid carers has been a priority for the SNP both before and during the pandemic. The SNP are in regular contact with carer representatives to make sure we understand carers’ concerns and can act accordingly. The local voluntary organisation, West Lothian Carers, has been invaluable in the advice and support they provide, and I keep in regular contact with them. They were one of the first organisations in Scotland to introduce Young Carers support services, which have now expanded across Scotland - inspired by the powerful work here in West Lothian. If re-elected, the SNP will create a National Care Service, scrapping non-residential care charges and introducing a National Wage for carers. The…