The SNP manifesto will set out plans for an end to Westminster
cuts and a major investment in the NHS – delivering a £1.6bn
annual funding boost for the health service in Scotland.
Launching the manifesto, First Minister and SNP Leader will call for the next UK
Government to increase NHS spending by a minimum of £10bn extra
each year to improve performance – generating an additional £1bn
annually for NHS Scotland.
The SNP manifesto will also demand that the UK Government invest
at least £6 billion in additional funding to match Scotland's
most recent pay deals for NHS staff – delivering around £600
million in consequentials which Scotland could invest in NHS
staff numbers, pay, and conditions. This would mean a total
additional investment of £16bn for the NHS – generating a total
of £1.6bn for the NHS in Scotland.
Ahead of the manifesto launch, said:
“14 years of Westminster cuts have had a devastating impact on
funding for public services – and Labour are committed to
continuing with the same cuts agenda as the Tories.
“The SNP manifesto will set out a different approach in line with
Scotland's centre-left values – with an end to Westminster cuts
and a major new investment in our health service.
“Our NHS staff were rightly hailed as heroes during the pandemic
– but since then, the Tory government has treated them with
complete contempt leading to the junior doctor strike which has
England's NHS on its knees.
“In Scotland, we negotiated in good faith and secured a fair deal
for junior doctors and nurses.
“Rather than cosying up to the private sector, and would be better served getting round the table with
NHS staff and delivering the fair pay rise they deserve.
“Labour need to explain why they think an experienced nurse in
Liverpool should be paid £3,000 a year less than we pay a nurse
in Livingston.
“The Westminster consensus between Labour and the Tories
represents a clear and present danger to the future of the
NHS.
“On the 4th of July the people of Scotland have the opportunity
to protect our health service by voting SNP and putting
Scotland's interests first.”
