SNP "Offer Friendship" To rUK

Nicola Sturgeon will use a speech at the SNP's last conference before the General Election to offer change to the "outdated and discredited" Westminster system.

Opinion polls have consistently suggested the Nationalists will make significant gains at the expense of Labour in May's General Election.

Yesterday the SNP gained Glenrothes West and Kinglassie Fife Council seat - an area considered a Labour heartland - with Craig Walker winning 55.3 percent of the vote,  a 12 per cent increase since 2012 and the second by-election win in the Kingdom this year. 

In January, Marie Penman was elected as councillor for the Kirkcaldy East ward with 47 per cent of the vote and a 10.9 per cent increase in the SNP vote.

During her keynote address to delegates in Glasgow today. the First Minister is expected to say:

“To ordinary people across these islands who feel just as let down by the out of touch Westminster system as we do, I have a very clear message.

“It is a message of friendship and solidarity.

“As long as Scotland remains part of the Westminster system, we will be your allies in seeking to shake up and reform that outdated and discredited system once and for all.

“Westminster needs to change. To be more responsive to the needs and demands of ordinary people, wherever they are in the UK.

“So to people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, I make this promise.  The SNP stands ready to work with you in making that positive change.

“We will pursue policies that will win support from, and make life better for, people in every part of these islands.

“We will demand an alternative to slash and burn austerity.

“Responsible deficit reduction, yes - but cuts that tear at the very fabric of our society, penalise the poor, threaten our public services and stifle economic growth, let me make it crystal clear - those will not be in our name.”

The First Minister will also unveil plans to extend the Educational Maintenance Allowance scheme, providing funding for an additional 10,000 school pupils through a higher threshold.

Part-time college students will also become eligible, which the SNP says will help an extra 12,000 young people stay in education.

Ms Sturgeon is due to say:

“When the Tories abolished the Educational Maintenance Allowance in England, we retained it in Scotland.  

“That allowance provides a payment of £30 a week to pupils from the least well off families, to enable them to stay in school.

“For many of these young people, it makes the vital difference between them being able to continue in education and being forced to leave to find employment.

“Currently, Educational Maintenance Allowances help 35,000 young people stay in education.

“Today, I can confirm that the Scottish Government will extend that scheme so that it benefits even more young people.

“Firstly, we will raise the eligibility threshold to make payments available to an additional 10,000 school pupils.

“And, secondly, we will extend the scheme to part time college students, helping an additional 12,000 young people stay on in education.

“That means from the next year, a total of 57,000 16 to 19 years old will be entitled to receive an Educational Maintenance Allowance.

“That is real help for the young people who need it most to stay in education and fulfil their potential.”