The Scottish Conservative manifesto for the Holyrood election contains pledges to provide more money for Scots families and cut Scottish Government spending. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said the manifesto proposals are 'fully costed' and make economic growth the number one priority for the next Scottish Parliament. The manifesto includes tax measures to help families, such as scrapping the 20p basic rate and 21p intermediate rate of income tax, meaning workers would pay a 19p rate on all taxable earnings above the personal allowance until the current higher rate threshold, with thresholds rising by at least inflation for five years, and increasing the higher rate threshold to the UK level.
The Scottish Conservative manifesto also pledges to oppose any attempt to hold another independence referendum, ban the Scottish Government from spending taxpayers' money on pro-independence propaganda, and introduce a pledge that all civil servants must sign to remain neutral on the constitution.
The set of proposals are 'fully costed' and 'makes economic growth our number one priority for the next Scottish Parliament'.
Further commitments include cutting the size and scale of the Scottish Government and wider public sector, with plans to cut £1.5 billion from spending on public bodies, reduce the number of quangos by at least a quarter, cut civil servant numbers to 2016 levels, and reduce foreign aid spending.
In Wales, Reform UK unveiled its manifesto ahead of the Senedd election, with leader Nigel Farage pledging to scrap the 20mph default limit, build an M4 relief road, and cut income tax. The party also pledges to cut income tax by 1% at all bands, review business rates, and not introduce any new Welsh-controlled tax.
May's Senedd election was a 'referendum' on how Keir Starmer is running the UK Government.
Reform UK plans to cut the Welsh civil service by 10%, which would mean the loss of around 580 jobs over the Senedd term. The manifesto includes a pledge to prioritise Welsh people and veterans on social housing waiting lists based on a strict 10-year residency requirement.
On healthcare, Reform UK promises to 'slash waiting lists, end corridor care, and future-proof the NHS by upgrading hospitals'. Reform UK leader in Wales Dan Thomas said the party would conduct an 'audit of the entire NHS estate' regarding hospital replacements or upgrades.
If we need to replace it we will, or if we need to upgrade we will upgrade.
Reform UK pledges to 'support the Welsh language' but details only cuts to Welsh language support, with Nigel Farage vowing an end to the target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050. The manifesto states it will 'urgently consider' the viability of Cardiff Airport but stops short of committing to a sale.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage joined Scotland leader Lord Malcolm Offord to launch the party's Scottish parliamentary election manifesto, pledging to 'challenge the Holyrood consensus'. Reform UK's Scottish manifesto, presented by Lord Malcolm Offord, focuses on economy with guiding principles of sound finances, economic growth, and cutting waste in the public sector.
Challenge the Holyrood consensus.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the May Senedd election is a 'referendum' on how Keir Starmer is running the UK Government.