Next year will see young people voting for the first time who have grown up entirely under the SNP government,” she said.

Full statement

“Together with the rest of the electorate, they have the chance to choose a new direction for our communities and for Scotland’s future by voting for Scottish Labour.

Falling educational standards, fewer opportunities for school leavers, housing shortages, and some of the longest waiting times for mental health diagnosis and treatment in the country, are all making it harder for children and young people to fulfil their potential.

This affects not only younger generations but also impacts our wider communities today and into the future. Many are left with no choice but to leave the area for opportunities elsewhere, with a knock-on effect on the workforces of local businesses and essential public services.

Since taking power in 2024 the UK Labour government has delivered a pay rise for 200,000 of the lowest paid Scottish workers, strengthened employment rights, seen the fastest growing economy in the G7 with five interest rate cuts in a year as the economy recovers, and provided the largest budget settlement for Scotland in the history of devolution.

Despite this, Scots continue to see our public services decline under an SNP government that is tired and out of ideas to fix the mess they have made since 2007, while England is benefiting from improved NHS waiting times and expanded provision of childcare.