GE15: Week Two, Day One Pledges

Pensions, pledges, income tax and the oil and gas industry, that's the focus of Scotland's main four political parties on Easter Monday.

Jim Murphy has outlined ten promises to get the party in government, saying too many working parents are relying on foodbanks to feed their children.

Speaking about the need for change in Scotland, Mr Murphy said: "In Scotland we are desperate for change - we know the last few years haven’t been good enough for our country.

“We know Scotland can do better than this. 

“Tens of thousands of Scots now rely on charity to feed themselves. 

“Working people finish their shifts and head to a foodbank because their wages won’t provide for their families. 

“Too many parents miss a meal to make sure their children have enough.

“It isn’t good enough that working people can’t feed their kids. 

“They are the reason we need to vote for change.”

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon says she want pensions to rise in line with inflation, average wages or by 2.5% - whichever is higher: “We've protected and extended the concessionary travel scheme which gives people the freedom they need to enjoy their live. 

“And free personal care which ensures our older people receive the standard of care they deserve regardless of their ability to pay has been one of the biggest landmarks of the devolution era. 

“But there is undoubtedly more that could be done at Westminster to build on our progress in Scotland and protect the interests of older people.

“Our pensioners have contributed hugely to society, and are entitled to get a fair deal in their retirement in return.

“A strong team of SNP MPs holding the balance of power will ensure that the contribution older people have made throughout their lives is recognised – and will deliver a new and better deal for pensioners in Scotland.”

As the new income tax threshold takes effect today, the Liberal Democrats are telling shoppers how far their income tax cut will go.

Speaking at the Galashiels branch of ASDA supermarket, Mr Rennie said: "The Liberal Democrat tax cut for working Scots is the equivalent of £68 off your monthly shopping bill.
 
"By raising the point at which people start to pay income tax from £6,500 to £10, 500, we have put £825 a year back into the pockets of men and women throughout this country.
 
"That money makes a big difference to family budgets here in the Borders, and across Scotland. It is an important part of the Lib Dem plan to build a stronger economy and a fairer society. 
 
"As Liberal Democrats Michael Moore and I have had the privilege of putting that policy into practice, using our place in government to get tax down for over two and a half million Scots.
 
"No other party supported this policy, but we achieved it.  In the next Parliament, we will cut that tax further by raising the point at which people start to pay to £12,500. That would mean an extra £100 in your pocket every month compared to the last Labour government.
 
"That's even more money off your monthly bill - the difference that Liberal Democrats will make for you."

And Conservative MEP Ian Duncan is meeting oil and gas industry bosses to highlight the recent tax break for the industry, and the idea of a North Sea electricity grid.

He said: “The tax breaks and support which George Osborne delivered are exactly what the oil and gas industry need to safeguard jobs and investment.
 
“That is what you get when you vote Scottish Conservative – jobs and growth as part of a long-term economic plan.

“We must not let the North Sea be held to ransom by the SNP.”

On the electricity grid, he added: “Scotland has significant scope for renewable energy, but importantly it has huge resources of offshore and onshore gas to generate electricity.
 
“Without interconnectors, essentially large cables, both consumers and our energy producers are at a disadvantage.
 
“We end up relying on Russian gas and we all know the problems which come with that.
 
“At present the only region of Europe ‘shovel ready’ in terms of delivering an energy union is the North Sea.
 
“A North Sea grid, able to connect the renewable and conventional energy generation of Scotland directly into the European mainland, will be a vital step forward in attaining energy security for the whole continent.