Ayrshire & Arran Liberal Democrats

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have launched their manifesto for this year's Scottish Parliament elections. They propose to invest £1.5 billion in order to create jobs and improve early years education. The package as a whole should create at least 100000 jobs for the Scottish economy. It would be funded by making Scottish Water into a not for profit public benefit company and refinancing it's debt.

The main programmes that the Liberal Democrats would fund include:

• £500 million administered via new Regional Development Banks to help businesses to expand and take on new staff.

• £250 million to introduce superfast broadband to every part of Scotland. This by itself should create at least 20000 jobs.

• £250 million for a new Science Nation fund for Scottish universities. This would be used to allow Scottish universities, in association with business, to gain a global lead in research and development.

• £250 million to massively accelerate Scotland's home insulation programmes, thereby cutting both emissions and household bills.

• £250 million for a new Early Intervention Revolution fund. This would be open to Councils, voluntary organisations and health authorities to bid to in order to fund a step change in early years provision across Scotland.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat candidate for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Andrew Chamberlain said,

“This is precisely the sort of fresh thinking that Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley needs. When it comes to creating jobs, it's the Liberal Democrats who are coming up with the money to bring meaningful change to this area. If elected as this area's MSP I look forward to fighting alongside my Scottish Liberal Democrat colleagues to secure investment in this constituency.

When it comes to tackling the social problems that come with poverty, it's the efforts that are made in the early years of an individual's life that are most crucial. In the medium to long term, our Early Intervention Revolution will help thousands of local people to make something of their lives rather than languishing in unemployment or even turning to crime.”

As always we appreciate any input from our constituents on these or any other subjects you would like to bring to our attention. Please do not hesitate in contacting us using any of the options available on the Contact Us page.