Gillian Martin Welcomes "Most Ambitious Programme for Government Ever"

Manifesto for the Next Generation Focuses on Health, Education and Early Years

The SNP’s candidate for Aberdeenshire East, Gillian Martin, has welcomed the manifesto for the next generation as the SNP launch their “most ambition programme for government ever” today.

The 76 page manifesto outlined a progressive prospectus for the next Parliament, focusing on the next generation. The manifesto includes the commitment to ensure every new-born in Scotland will be entitled to a ‘baby-box’; a new maternity and early years’ allowance to support low-income families with new children; increasing early learning and childcare to 30 hours a week for all 3 & 4 year olds, and vulnerable 2 year olds, and a record £13 billion budget for the NHS.

Commenting, SNP Candidate for Aberdeenshire East Gillian Martin said:

“The SNP’s manifesto has a real focus on delivering for the next generation. Children and young people are the next doctors, teachers and leaders of our society and this prospectus outlines exactly how an SNP government will put them at the heart of our policies to build an even better Scotland.

“Building on international experiences, the SNP will ensure that every new-born in Scotland will be entitled to a ‘baby-box’, providing families with essential items for a child’s first weeks.

“The new Maternity and Early Years’ Allowance demonstrates how an SNP Scottish Government will use our new social security powers to make Scotland the best place to grow up. It will give expectant mothers on low incomes support with a grant to help ensure that a child’s first weeks, nursery and school years can be the best for every child.

“We’ll be building on the SNP's work in Government and expanding universal childcare for 3 and 4 year olds, and vulnerable 2 year olds – saving families over £3,000 per child per year. What I think is even better is that an SNP Scottish Government will be piloting a further range of different childcare approaches – allowing families to determine what works best for them and their children – improving the availability of high quality and flexible childcare.

“These are just a few of the commitments that will deliver for the next generation. With our continued support for the NHS; increasing the funding by over £2bn by the end of the next Parliament – an SNP Scottish Government under the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon will make Scotland a healthier, more prosperous nation.

“On May 5th, I’d urge everyone in Aberdeenshire East to ensure they make it both votes SNP to elect a local voice as their MSP and to elect Nicola Sturgeon as their First Minister.”​