Sturgeon vows Covid inquiry in 2021 if elected

NICOLA Sturgeon has committed to a public inquiry later this year into how the coronavirus pandemic was dealt with, if she is re-elected First Minister.

Sturgeon has previously set out her position that once the pandemic is over, then the time would be right to ask questions about how the Scottish Government reacted and the decisions it took.

The SNP leader said: “I had met just a number of days ago with the organisation that represents bereaved families.

“And what I said to them, and this has been reported publicly, is that it will be a priority if I am re-elected to set in train the steps necessary to establish a public inquiry.

“I think we’re the only government in the UK that has actually said that.

“Public inquiries do take time to properly establish if they’re to do a proper job.

“But I want to see a public inquiry get under way later this year.”

Elsewhere on the election campaign trail, Labour leader Anas Sarwar vowed to fight for fairer pay for care workers.

He said care workers will get an increase of only 20p an hour, while NHS staff are to get a 4% rise.

Sarwar said: “Social care staff have put themselves at risk to support our most vulnerable throughout the pandemic. The SNP’s disregard of their heroic efforts is shameful, and we cannot continue to neglect this dedicated workforce.

“They are worth so much more than the 20p increase offered by the SNP.

“By electing Labour MSPs we can ensure this is put back on the agenda and we can fight for fair pay for care workers.”

The Greens highlighted their plans for thousands more teachers for Scotland’s schools.

The party’s manifesto will pledge an increase of 10% of the workforce, to help reduce class sizes and teacher workload, which they said unions warn have become unmanageable in recent years.

Co-leader Patrick Harvie, who is standing for election in Glasgow Kelvin, added: “Scotland’s schools were struggling long before Covid though, with impossible workloads heaped on teachers and class sizes still far, far too large.

“That’s why the Greens will recruit an additional 5500 teachers over the next term of Parliament. Reducing the workload burden and allowing teachers to teach rather than administer will attract exactly the kind of passionate people we want teaching our children.

“A green recovery for our young people means giving them a broad, empowering education delivered by motivated teachers. Our future depends on it.”

Tory leader Douglas Ross is visiting businesses in Glasgow today to highlight the party’s plans for apprenticeships and re-skilling.