Anas Sarwar said a Labour Scottish Government would lower the tax burden on Scottish workers.

In his speech to the party’s conference in Glasgow, he hit out at the SNP income tax policy and its handling of the economy.

Sarwar accused the SNP of “financial mismanagement during a cost-of-living crisis.”

READ NEXT:Humza Yousaf: My family ease stress of being First Minister

He said: “We have the ludicrous situation where we have a government that believes if you earn £28,500 in this country, you somehow have the broadest shoulders and you should be expected to pay more and get less in return.”

On possible Scottish Labour income tax proposals, a spokesperson said later: “Labour’s intention was to lower the tax burden on working people.

“We do not support raising tax bands.”

In a speech lasting just under one hour, Sarwar said a Labour Government would “strengthen workers rights” and tackle poverty.

READ NEXT:Parking charges and school meals to rise in Glasgow

“He said: “Across Scotland today there are 410,000 adults in in-work poverty.

“More than 109,000 people in Scotland are on a zero-hours contract.

“So we must finally bring the world of work into the 21st century – strengthening workers’ rights, and strengthening our economy too.

“Instead of allowing a race to the bottom, we will deliver a race to the top.

Glasgow Times:

He said a Labour “new deal for working people” would be the “centrepiece of Labour’s programme for Government”.

He said: “That means ending the scandal of end fire and rehire, extending employment rights from day one, delivering a real living wage, and banning exploitative zero-hours contracts once and for all.”

Sarwar again called for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

With protests expected at the conference this weekend Sarwar said collective punishment of Palestinians cannot be justified.

MPs at Westminster are also due to vote this month on an SNP motion calling for a ceasefire.

Sarwar laid out his and Scottish Labour’s position on the ongoing war.

He said: “The loss of innocent life in Israel and in Gaza is an absolute travesty.

“On October 7th, we saw the largest loss of Jewish life in any single day since the Holocaust.

“It was unimaginable, unforgivable, and unjustifiable.”

He said it was right to show solidarity with the Jewish people and people of Israel following that.

He added: “And as I have been clear, the collective punishment of 2.2 million innocent citizens of Gaza is not – never can be – a justifiable response to the horror inflicted by Hamas.

“So today I say once again – loudly and clearly – the fighting must stop right now.

“That means an immediate ceasefire with an end to rocket fire going in to, and coming out of, Gaza right now.

“The immediate release of hostages.”

In a wide-ranging conference speech Sarwar also attacked the Tories at Westminster, accusing them of encouraging thuggery on the streets.

The leader said: “What do the Tories care about? What do they want to talk about?

“Sending refugees to Rwanda. Encouraging fascist thugs onto the streets. Legitimising hatred towards LGBT communities. Banning tents for the homeless.”

Sarwar said growing up in Glasgow shaped his politics.

He said: “This city has always stood in solidarity against division, intolerance, and injustice.”