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Parties get on election footing Parties get on election footing
(about 23 hours later)
Two of Scotland's political parties are stepping up their plans for next year's Holyrood election. Two of Scotland's political parties have stepped up their plans for next year's Holyrood election.
The Scottish National Party will launch its annual conference agenda, adding detail to economic plans for business growth and its public services policy. The Scottish National Party launched its annual conference agenda, which focuses on economic business growth, education and future energy questions.
The Liberal Democrats will outline their policy aims, including scrapping graduate endowment fees, more renewable energy use and lower business rates. The Liberal Democrats also outlined their policy aims, including scrapping graduate endowment fees, more renewable energy use and lower business rates.
Polling for the Scottish Parliament elections will take place on 3 May. Polling for the Scottish Parliament election will take place on 3 May.
The SNP's conference will take place in Perth next week.The SNP's conference will take place in Perth next week.
Fresh thinking 'Positive vision'
Speaking ahead of the agenda launch, party leader Alex Salmond said: "We are the only party in Scotland setting our new ideas to help Scotland make progress as the country cries out for a new direction in government. Speaking at the agenda launch, party leader Alex Salmond said: "The people of Scotland know it's time for a change, and only the SNP can deliver the fresh approach that people up and down our country are crying out for.
"We aim to carry on this fresh thinking next week. "Next May, voters across Scotland will have a simple choice to make about Scotland's future.
"Whether it's taking action to encourage our talented young people to stay in Scotland, measures to grow our economy by aiding small businesses, or protecting our older people by implementing a fair local income tax, the SNP are at the forefront of positive change in our country, and to our people's lives." "They need to decide between the tired and washed-out Labour Party, who have run out of ideas and popular support, and the positive vision for our country proposed by the SNP."
The conference will debate green energy, rural and transport issues, growing the Scottish economy, Trident and Scotland's interests abroad.
There will also be a focus on education, including reducing class sizes and tackling indiscipline.
Polling for Holyrood will take place in May of next yearPolling for Holyrood will take place in May of next year
Meanwhile, Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen pledged to scrap the graduate endowment fee for Scottish students, as he launched a new policy document for the party. Meanwhile, Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen pledged to scrap the graduate endowment fee for Scottish students as he launched a new policy document for the party.
Students currently have to pay a graduate endowment fee of more than £2,000 after they have finished their degree.Students currently have to pay a graduate endowment fee of more than £2,000 after they have finished their degree.
But Mr Stephen said this would be scrapped under a Lib Dem administration.But Mr Stephen said this would be scrapped under a Lib Dem administration.
He said: "I will maintain the fund that supports those students in most need through maintenance grants and bursaries."He said: "I will maintain the fund that supports those students in most need through maintenance grants and bursaries."
Green homesGreen homes
He also pledged a fresh environmentally-friendly emphasis in housing with the creation of a new healthy green homes fund.He also pledged a fresh environmentally-friendly emphasis in housing with the creation of a new healthy green homes fund.
"It will start by ensuring that all housing association and council housing properties have microgeneration and energy efficiency measures wherever possible," he said."It will start by ensuring that all housing association and council housing properties have microgeneration and energy efficiency measures wherever possible," he said.
"The next step will be to extend the fund to all those who currently qualify for the Warm Deal.""The next step will be to extend the fund to all those who currently qualify for the Warm Deal."
Municipal recycling rates have also been earmarked for a 70% improvement by 2020 by Mr Stephen in the document.Municipal recycling rates have also been earmarked for a 70% improvement by 2020 by Mr Stephen in the document.