Category: Campaign Responses

The SNP have taken action in Government to tackle hate crime and build community cohesion as well as adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism. We want to send a clear and strong message - that anti-Semitism is entirely unacceptable. There is no place in Scotland for any form of anti-Semitism or religious hatred. The Jewish community is a valuable, vital part of our society in Scotland and if one member of that community feels unsafe here, then we all have a duty to do everything possible to change that. The SNP condemns anyone who threatens the existence of Israel. Israel has a right to exist and a right to exist peacefully. We are also of the view that the Israel-Palestine situation should never be used as some kind…

The SNP is firmly committed to equality for disabled people and are striving to create a Scotland that is fair and inclusive to all.  The SNP Scottish Government have been working closely with a number of Disabled People’s Organisations to understand the impact of COVID-19 on disabled people and take action – such as investing an additional £2.35 million for the Parental Employability Support Fund for those most at risk of poverty, including disabled parents – and will continue to ensure that the voices of disabled people impacted shape our approach and policies as we recover from this pandemic.  We are determined to remove the barriers that stop people from enjoying equal access to full citizenship. We have committed to incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with…

The SNP welcome this campaign and will continue to work hard to raise awareness of ovarian cancer to save lives. A re-elected SNP Government will open specialist fast track cancer diagnostic centres in every health board during the next phase of the Detect Cancer Early programme.  Our plan is to take forward 3 pilot sites, up and running by the end of May, which will then be swiftly evaluated in order to shape the full rollout to every board area next year Patient experience will be at the heart of the development of these new centres, to ensure there’s quality resources for patients from the point of referral, to enable them to make informed decisions about their care.  Fiona Hyslop

The SNP recognises the impact that the Covid-19 outbreak had on people affected by Parkinson’s and is committed to ensuring that patients are able to access the care and support they need.  The SNP Scottish Government’s Neurological Care and Support in Scotland: A Framework for Action 2020 - 2025 sets out our vision for driving improvement in care and support for those with neurological conditions, including Parkinsons. The five-year plan adopted a co-ordinated approach with the Neurological Community to ensure people with lived experience and their families and carers are at the centre of the Framework’s creation, and the SNP Scottish Government will continue this engagement during implementation. To ensure our social care system consistently delivers high quality services across Scotland, if re-elected we will take forward the recommendations of…

The SNP have reaffirmed our commitment to invest £60m in renovating and upgrading play parks across the country to ensure that our very youngest children have the outdoor space to play, to build fitness and to be with their friends. Protecting our green spaces has never been more important as we face a climate emergency. Therefore, we will invest an additional £500million in our natural economy to help tackle the biodiversity crisis.  The SNP are absolutely determined that everyone in Scotland can benefit from investment in sport and physical activity. Our local parks and green spaces have been a crucial support to so many communities throughout the pandemic. Therefore, we will double investment in sport and active living by the end of the parliament, to £100m a year. Fiona Hyslop

So many people have played a part in getting us through the last year. We owe so much to our frontline staff and workers who have gone to work every day to deliver other lifeline services; and all those who have had to adapt to working from home, often home-schooling children at the same time.  Covid-19 changed the way we work almost overnight. As we recover from the pandemic, we want to do more to support people achieve a healthy work-life balance. We also want to keep the total number of people in employment high.  As part of this, we will establish a £10 million fund to allow companies to pilot and explore the benefits of a four day working week. We will use the learning from this to consider a…

The SNP want every child born and resident in Scotland to have the best start in life and is firmly committed to improving maternity and perinatal care across Scotland. The safe remobilisation of pregnancy, maternity and neonatal care and support services remain a key priority for the SNP Scottish Government and we have issued remobilisation guidance to health boards for maternity and neonatal services. If re-elected we will develop and implement a Women’s Health Plan aiming to improve care services and reduce health inequalities. The SNP will review midwifery and health visiting pathways for new families and babies, improve access to practical breastfeeding support, physical therapy advice, increase postpartum and mental wellbeing support, and ensure maternity departments have dedicated facilities for women who are experiencing unexpected pregnancy complications. If re-elected,…

The SNP will increase NHS Scotland funding by 20% in the next parliament. We will also increase social care funding by 25%, and investment in mental health services by 25%.  The SNP will create a National Care Service by the end of the next parliament, that will be of equal statutory status as NHS Scotland. This will enable the Scottish Government to improve conditions and pay throughout the sector, and recognise the vital importance of the care sector in Scotland.  The SNP will also build on the success of the community link worker programme, to ensure that every GP Practice in the country has access to a dedicated mental wellbeing link worker, creating a network of 1000 additional dedicated staff who can help grow community mental health and help direct…

The last year has been challenging for all of us, but the light at the end of the tunnel is now clear, and it is science that has gotten us to this point.  Our First Minister highlighted in November 2020 how science would be what unlocked Scotland and ended the pandemic, and the vaccine has started to enable just that.  If re-elected, the SNP will turn to science once again to unlock Scotland’s potential and drive a green, high tech revolution for Scotland. Scotland has historically been a nation of inventors that has led the world in a number of fields, and the SNP will ensure this reputation continues.  The SNP plan to use inward investment to create 20,000 jobs and grow the Scottish GDP by £4 billion. Included in…

The SNP recognise the need for vitamin D, that is why Scottish Government guidelines recommend that all Scots consider vitamin D supplements during winter months.  The Scottish Government’s guidelines also recommend the consumption of vitamin D supplements year round by groups at higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency, such as pregnant women, infants and children under 5, those who are housebound or cover their skin for cultural reasons, and those with darker skin.  Breastfeeding women and children under 12 months in Scotland can get vitamin D supplements containing their daily recommended amount.  During the pandemic, the SNP Scottish Government offered people on the shielding list a free four-month supply of vitamin D from December to March to support them through extended periods without access to as much sunlight. Over 71,000…