SNP Q&A's

Nicola Sturgeon

As we head towards the final days before the general election, and as the promises and charges fly back and forth like ‘arrows on a medieval battlefield’ - we decided to offer the Scottish National Party (SNP) the chance to put their case - in particular the SNP policies that are relevant to those living on state pensions and benefit.

We love all things Scottish here at the ABC, and of course the history, culture, kindness and warmth of the Scottish people themselves. 

To our delight, Rachel Heydecker of the SNP Policy Unit, helped facilitate this Q&A session which we have simply titled:

IN THEIR OWN WORDS – The Scottish National Party (SNP)

What has been the experience of Scottish people living on state pensions and benefits during austerity?

Scotland is part of an increasingly unequal UK and Westminster’s welfare cuts risk putting up to 100,000 more children into poverty by 2020. It is unacceptable that anyone should be living in poverty in a country as wealthy as Scotland.

The Coalition Government’s plan to further increase the state pension age is a worry to people across the UK who are planning for their future, and SNP MPs will push for a guarantee that there should be no further increase in the state pension age in Scotland while life expectancy still lags behind the rest of the UK and Europe.

The SNP Scottish Government providing over £100 million in 2015-16 to mitigate families in Scotland from the impact of Westminster welfare cuts. We will fully mitigate the effect of the Bedroom Tax, and the Scottish Welfare Fund provides a safety net for 100,000 households with low incomes.

What are the most pressing social issues facing Scotland right now?

The path of cuts which the Tory/Lib Dem coalition have chosen, and that Labour have signed up to, is negatively affecting Scotland. The Coalition’s reform to the benefits system attempts to balance the books on the back of the poor which has led to devastation, but the SNP is offering an alternative.

Our anti-austerity plans are for modest spending increases which will bring the deficit down, as well as allowing investment in growth and jobs. This plan is socially responsible and will protect our social fabric.

With creeping privatisation of the NHS South of the Border in England, the SNP will protect Scotland’s NHS and keep its future safe in public hands. SNP MPs will oppose anything that could have an adverse knock on impact on our budget. That is exactly why we will vote to restore England's NHS and give people south of the border their health service back

To cut the deficit would you make benefits cuts, if so where?

The SNP are offering a real alternative to the drab Tory-Labour cuts consensus in Westminster. Our anti-austerity plans propose a modest increase in public spending to allow investment in jobs and growth, and stop the savage cuts to disability benefits. This plan will allow us to also bring the deficit down but over a longer consolidation period.

What is your Party’s attitude to benefit sanctions?

Westminster’s sanctions regime is causing hardship and misery for far too many people across Scotland and the SNP believes there should be a root and branch review of this policy – and the DWP should not be allowed to impose any more unfair sanctions on vulnerable people while the review is ongoing.

Would you scrap or modify Zero Hours contacts?

SNP MPs will vote to end the unfair use of zero hours contracts.

What are your policies on youth unemployment?

The SNP Scottish Government has a strong record on promoting youth employment. In February the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that more than 1,000 job opportunities for unemployed young people are to be created through a £6.1m Scottish Government investment.

This is part of the Scottish Government’s Community Jobs Scotland programme – which has already helped over 5,500 young people so far.

We are on course to exceed the target of 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships this year, and we have now committed to delivering 30,000 new Modern Apprenticeship opportunities each year by 2020.

The SNP Scottish Government’s Opportunities for All commitment also guarantees a place in education or training for all 16-19 year olds not already in learning, training or employment.

How do you propose to reduce child poverty?

The SNP want Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up, and by investing in growth rather than continuing cuts we can give our children the best start in life.

Our proposals for a modest increase in public spending will allow investment in public services – for example these plans will allow us to spend £2 billion more on Scotland’s NHS by 2020.

We will push for Child Tax Credits and Child Benefit to be uprated instead of frozen as the Tories plan.

The SNP will continue to deliver free school meals for P1-3s, boosting children’s wellbeing and helping to improve attainment.

Do you have any desire to return the railways or the utility companies to public ownership?

The Scottish Parliament does not currently have the power that would have allowed a publicly-owned company to bid for the Scotrail franchise which was procured recently.

The SNP Scottish Government called for the full responsibility for rail transport to enable public sector bids and not–for–profit models in the Smith Commission.

What would you say to those living in the more prosperous South who might feel that they will be funding Scottish plans with higher taxes?

Scotland more than pays its own way. Scottish tax receipts have been higher per head than in the UK as a whole in each of the last 34 years. In 2013-14, revenues per head in Scotland were £400 higher than across the UK. Over the past five years as a whole, total tax revenue was £4,100 per head higher in Scotland.

If you force the scrapping of Trident, Britain’s nuclear defence, how much would you save and what would you do with the money?

We do not believe that £100 billion should be spent on the renewal of Trident nuclear weapons. We would invest this money in childcare and vital public services instead.

Do you intend to have MPs outside Scotland in future?

We do not have plans to field candidates outside Scotland.

Will you try again for Scottish Independence?

The SNP leader and Scotland’s First Minister has made it clear that she is not planning another referendum, and in order for another referendum to be in an SNP manifesto in future, something significant would have to change from the situation we had last year in the referendum.

Thank you Rachel, and thank you to the SNP for taking part. Good Luck in the forthcoming elections.