The SNP election manifesto: Key pledges

Leader Nicola Sturgeon launched the SNP's manifesto.

Video report by ITV News Correspondent Martin Geissler

The Scottish National Party has pledged a team of its MPs would deliver a "stronger Scotland" while behaving "responsibly and constructively" for the whole of the UK.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon told supporters the manifesto "above all else" seeks to end austerity, with a proposed £180 billion increase in public spending across the UK.

The SNP's key pledges for the General Election are:

  • Taxation

To back the restoration of the 50p top income tax rate for those earning over £150,000.

A promise to vote for the creation of a UK-wide mansion tax.

  • Work and pensions

Scottish National Party MPs will vote to increase the minimum wage to £8.70 by 2020.

They will also support tough action to end "exploitative" zero-hours contracts.

A promise to vote to retain the triple lock on pensions.

  • Trident

Block the replacement of Trident to save as much as £100 billion over its lifetime and £4 billion by the mid-2020s.

  • Public spending

The proposal of a modest spending increase of 0.5 per cent a year to enable at least £140 billion extra investment in the economy and public services.

  • The NHS

An additional £9.5 billion spending above inflation across the UK by 2020/21, totalling £24 billion.

This is expected to deliver a total increase for NHS Scotland of £2 billion.

SNP MPs would also vote against any further privatisation of the NHS in England and back any moves to restore it to a fully public service.

  • Welfare

To support an increase in the Employment Allowance from £2,000 per business per year to £6,000, to help smaller firms take on and retain additional staff.

A promise to oppose the £3 billion cut in disability support that threatens to cut the income of a million disabled people by more than £1,000 a year.

A vow to immediately abolish the so-called Bedroom Tax and protect the winter fuel allowance.

  • Housing

The SNP will back plans for an annual UK target of 100,000 affordable homes.

It also promises to use additional capital investment to deliver a further expansion of house-building in Scotland.

  • Climate change

SNP MPs will use their influence in Westminster to ensure the UK matches and supports Scotland's ambitious commitments to carbon reduction.

A pledge to call on the government to match the approach of the Scottish government with a dedicated Climate Justice Fund.

They will seek to maximise support for offshore wind and press for onshore wind to continue to receive support through the lifetime of the next Parliament.

  • Delivering home rule for Scotland

The SNP will always support independence for Scotland.

The party's MPs will use their influence in Westminster to ensure that promises made during the referendum are delivered quickly and in full.

They will seek agreement that the Scottish Parliament should move to full financial responsibility.