Scottish Labour reveal their 10 election pledges as manifesto is launched

Jim Murphy has declared “the party of John Smith and Donald Dewar is back in business” as he launched Scottish Labour’s manifesto today in Tollcross. UPDATE: You can read the manifesto online here.

The Scottish Labour leader unveiled 10 election pledges for the party:

1. 1,000 more nurses for our NHS, funded by a mansion tax

2. More powers for the Scottish Parliament, including the final say on benefits

3. Guarantee a job and training for all young people

4. Raise the minimum wage to at least £8 an hour

5. £1,600 for 18 and 19 year olds who don’t have an apprenticeship and don’t go to college or university, to invest in themselves or start a business

6. Guarantee the Barnett Formula to delver billions of pounds more for our schools, hospitals and pensions

7. Increase the bursaries for the poorest students by £1,000

8. No tuition fees for Scottish students

9.  Ban exploitative zero hour contracts

10. End the need for food-banks with £175m to tackle the causes of poverty

At the launch, Murphy said:

“The plan we present today offers not just a change to how our countries are governed. It offers a change to how our economy works and rewards our people. How Scotland votes in the election will decide whether we unlock change or block change for millions of Scots. We cannot go on with rewards for the few and insecurity for the many.”