Tories put party before the country

On June 8 the people of Scotland will go back to the polls to vote in Theresa May’s snap General Election.

The Tories have just performed the biggest U-turn in recent political history, putting the interests of the Conservative Party ahead of those of the country. Meanwhile, I and the SNP government have been getting on with the day job of delivering for Scotland.

Over the past few weeks I have been from Balmaha, Balfron and Strathblane in the west to Crianlarich, Killin and Lochearnhead in the north. I have also been out knocking on doors all across the area.

Some recent projects that SNP government investment has helped deliver are becoming more visible every day.

For instance, as part of the Scottish Government’s £120 million fund, new primary schools have been built at St Ninians and in Cowie, with St Margaret’s RC Primary.

Schools across Stirling are also making excellent progress, as latest figures released indicate that a greater number of school leavers than previously across Stirling are going on to positive destinations.

In 2015-16 93.3 per cent went on to positive destinations after leaving school, with 44 per cent of leavers going into higher education and 28 per cent going straight into employment.

The Scottish Government has also taken significant action to improve early years learning and childcare. Families across Stirling will benefit from the £1.5 million that has been invested in early years’ workforce expansion.

By improving childcare provision in our community we will be able to further tackle the attainment gap.

Scotland currently has the highest house-building rate in the UK and in Stirling 653 new builds for social housing have been created by the SNP. Providing affordable homes is a priority for the SNP and we are committed to helping people manage household costs. The Scottish Government will now invest a further £3 billion to build at least 50,000 new affordable homes.

Making sure that everyone has a safe, warm and affordable home is essential and the Scottish Government’s home energy efficiency programme has announced a £30 million funding package to help 8000 households make their homes more energyefficient.

Under the SNP health spending is at a record high, with Stirling and the surrounding area benefiting from a range of direct spending commitments, including the record investment in NHS Forth Valley worth £495 million.

Work has also begun on the Stirling Care Village, which is a £35 million development built on the grounds of the Stirling Community Hospital. This will transform the way services are delivered by bringing a wide range of health, social care, training and GP services together in one location.

As for council services, despite cuts to the Scottish Government budget, Stirling Council will receive a fair and reasonable increase in its overall spending power.

Scotland is leading the way in renewable energy and the budget has provided almost £10 million of funding towards tackling climate change. Organisations such as the Central Scotland Regional Equality Council, Transition Stirling and Forth Environment Link in my constituency will receive £385,000 from this fund.

Finally, as part of the year of History, Heritage and Archaeology iconic Doune Castle will benefit from a share of a £65m conservation fund. We will also very soon see the opening of Historic Scotland’s national conservation centre at Forthside, which received £3 million of SNP Scottish Government funding.

These are just a few local examples of the SNP getting on with the day job.

Schools across Stirling are making excellent progress