This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6539899.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Education at heart of Labour plan Education at heart of Labour plan
(about 1 hour later)
Labour uses its Holyrood election manifesto launch to put education at the heart of its plans for the next parliament. Scottish Labour has used its Holyrood election manifesto launch to put education at the heart of its plans for the next parliament.
The party's Scottish leader, Jack McConnell, said education would have "first call" on all extra spending by the Scottish Executive. Party leader Jack McConnell told a press conference that education would have "first call" on all extra spending by the Scottish Executive.
He insisted other departments would have to "cut their cloth" accordingly.He insisted other departments would have to "cut their cloth" accordingly.
Mr McConnell also included a pledge to expand the availability of modern language lessons for children.Mr McConnell also included a pledge to expand the availability of modern language lessons for children.
The party, which has already given commitments to raising the school leaving age to 18, said Scotland should be the best educated country in the world.The party, which has already given commitments to raising the school leaving age to 18, said Scotland should be the best educated country in the world.
At the manifesto launch on Tuesday in Glasgow, he promised to recruit 500 extra language teachers and assistants to help equip young Scots for the global economy.At the manifesto launch on Tuesday in Glasgow, he promised to recruit 500 extra language teachers and assistants to help equip young Scots for the global economy.
The people in the most expensive homes, for example, those whose homes are worth more than £1m, will pay a little bit more each year to make the system fairer Jack McConnell At-a-glance: Scottish Labour manifestoThe people in the most expensive homes, for example, those whose homes are worth more than £1m, will pay a little bit more each year to make the system fairer Jack McConnell At-a-glance: Scottish Labour manifesto
A new education bill would also enshrine in law the right of headteachers to exclude unruly pupils.A new education bill would also enshrine in law the right of headteachers to exclude unruly pupils.
Launching the 103-page document Mr McConnell insisted he was "not fighting" for his job but "fighting for Scotland".Launching the 103-page document Mr McConnell insisted he was "not fighting" for his job but "fighting for Scotland".
He told those attending the event: "To put Scotland first, we must put education first.He told those attending the event: "To put Scotland first, we must put education first.
"We can now take our most radical step yet. This is bigger than the smoking ban, more important than our justice reforms, more groundbreaking than Fresh Talent.""We can now take our most radical step yet. This is bigger than the smoking ban, more important than our justice reforms, more groundbreaking than Fresh Talent."
Council tax has already emerged as a key election battleground, and Labour's plans for reform of the system go into more detail than the party has previously given.Council tax has already emerged as a key election battleground, and Labour's plans for reform of the system go into more detail than the party has previously given.
The Labour Party is putting children first in its manifestoThe Labour Party is putting children first in its manifesto
Mr McConnell said the reform will be achieved by creating an extra band at the top and the bottom of the scale - by turning Band A and Band H into two bands each.Mr McConnell said the reform will be achieved by creating an extra band at the top and the bottom of the scale - by turning Band A and Band H into two bands each.
Scotland has just over 11,000 Band H homes.Scotland has just over 11,000 Band H homes.
Mr McConnell said: "The people in the most expensive homes, for example, those whose homes are worth more than £1m, will pay a little bit more each year to make the system fairer."Mr McConnell said: "The people in the most expensive homes, for example, those whose homes are worth more than £1m, will pay a little bit more each year to make the system fairer."
Labour has also promised to raise the cap on university and college places for the first time in a decade and increase the number of those studying science and technology subjects.Labour has also promised to raise the cap on university and college places for the first time in a decade and increase the number of those studying science and technology subjects.
The manifesto has committed a Labour administration to producing an education bill within its first 100 days in office.The manifesto has committed a Labour administration to producing an education bill within its first 100 days in office.
READ THE MANIFESTO Scottish Labour manifesto in full[1.89 MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE MANIFESTO Scottish Labour manifesto in full[1.89 MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
The party has also promised to scrap water and sewerage charges for pensioners.The party has also promised to scrap water and sewerage charges for pensioners.
New plans include initially reimbursing the elderly for half the cost of bills before ultimately "moving towards" complete abolition.New plans include initially reimbursing the elderly for half the cost of bills before ultimately "moving towards" complete abolition.
On jobs, the party would set up a new full employment agency with the aim of getting 100,000 people off benefits and into work.On jobs, the party would set up a new full employment agency with the aim of getting 100,000 people off benefits and into work.
Labour would also double business rate discounts for small firms and give other rate cuts for firms involved in research and development.Labour would also double business rate discounts for small firms and give other rate cuts for firms involved in research and development.
Name and shameName and shame
On health, waiting time targets would be halved, setting a maximum wait by 2011 of 18 weeks from GP referral to treatment, with shorter waits for more urgent treatment.On health, waiting time targets would be halved, setting a maximum wait by 2011 of 18 weeks from GP referral to treatment, with shorter waits for more urgent treatment.
A new waiting time standard of nine weeks would be introduced for physiotherapists, clinical psychologists and chiropodists by 2011.A new waiting time standard of nine weeks would be introduced for physiotherapists, clinical psychologists and chiropodists by 2011.
On crime, Labour wants to name and shame those responsible for anti-social behaviour.On crime, Labour wants to name and shame those responsible for anti-social behaviour.
On the environment, it has pledged financial incentives for domestic recycling and energy efficiency, and a Scottish climate change bill.On the environment, it has pledged financial incentives for domestic recycling and energy efficiency, and a Scottish climate change bill.