The Scottish Liberal Democrats have pledged to boost carer’s wages as the party's General Election manifesto launched today.
Mr Cole-Hamilton was joined by deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain as they launched the manifesto today.
(Image: Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton and Liberal Democrat deputy leader Wendy Chamber)
The document included plans to introduce a carer’s minimum wage with a £2 an hour boost, as well as fast-tracking access to mental health counsellors in schools.
The party also said that an additional £1b in capital funding would come to Scotland through Barnett consequential which could be used to tackle the housing emergency and local health facilities across the country.
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Mr Cole-Hamilton said his party would “make the difference” and be the real opposition to a potential Labour government.
He added that the Liberal Democrats are aiming to “leap forward” on the July 4 election.
He said: “There’s going to be strong liberal voices returned in significant numbers – and they are going to be – we’re going to have a big leap forward at this election and are going to make that difference.
“This election has shown there is an intrinsic link between what happens in Westminster and what happens in Scotland and a lot of the policies that we’re generating cash from, whether that’s by trebling the digital services tax on social media giants who create so much harm experienced by our young people right now. We want to see that earmarked for mental health services in Scotland.”
(Image: Image: PA)
Meanwhile, Ms Chamberlain said the Conservatives were entering into a period of “irrelevance” meaning the Liberal Democrats would need to step up and hold a potential Labour government to account.
She said: “Where is the opposition, the holding to account going to come from? It’s going to come from the Liberal Democrats on issues such as the two-child limit which Labour has said they are not willing to remove.
“It is fully costed in our manifesto and this will be the opportunity for us to make those kind of arguments.
“I can assure you we will be taking those opportunities when they come.”
The manifesto was launched at Craigie’s Farm in Queensferry.
(Image: Image: PA)
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The Liberal Democrats are the latest party to launch their manifesto after labour promised a new deal for workers last week.
Labour pledged to create a partnership between business and trade unions with it's New Deal for Working People, including moves to ban "exploitative" zero hours contracts.
The manifesto says Labour will consult with businesses, workers and civic society on how to put the party’s plans into practice before legislation is passed. Labour's pledge not to raise income tax, VAT or national insurance and to cap corporation tax at its current 25% rate was also included.
To find out more about Labour's manifesto, click HERE
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