Labour differences on devolved issues

Published on Monday 12 April 2010 22:58

UK EDUCATION: Labour plans to allow the management of failing schools to be removed by parents, and permit the merger of successful schools with ailing neighbours. It has also promised to expand free nursery places for two-year- olds and the provision of flexible free nursery education for three- and four- year-olds. One-on-one tuition for children falling behind has been guaranteed, as has the provision of personal tutors for secondary school pupils.

HEALTH: The manifesto promises the introduction of legally binding guarantees for patients, including the right to receive cancer test results within a week of referral. Over 40s will be offered routine check ups – echoing an SNP policy pledge in Scotland – and there are promises that GPs will be open in the evening and at weekends. Psychological therapy for those that need it has also been promised.

JUSTICE: Specific pledges have been made to maintain police numbers on the beat, as well as the use of online report cards for officers and a scheme whereby failing forces could be merged with successful neighbours. Tackling anti-social behaviour will be enhanced through the introduction of a right to legal injunctions for victims against perpetrators funded by police or councils who have let them down. No commitment for mandatory jail sentences for carrying knives.

SCOTLAND

EDUCATION: The party pledges "targeted" support for pupils who need it in English and maths as well as one to one learning support "for those that need it". There is no provision to remove school management, but headteachers will be given more control over resources and there will be expanded consultation with parents. Failing schools could not be taken over by neighbours, but Labour plans to encourage greater co-operation between schools.

HEALTH: The manifesto pledges to ensure cancer patients see a specialist within two weeks, but there is no legal guarantee. In a nod to ongoing fears about C diff rates, there is a pledge to make hospitals cleaner as well as cutting waiting times and "driving up standards". The Scottish party also pledges to tackle alcohol abuse, a policy area missing from the UK manifesto.

JUSTICE: The commitment on police numbers is more vague, with a pledge to "provide the funding to maintain police numbers". There is no commitment on legal redress for victims of anti-social behaviour, but there is a commitment for mandatory prison sentences for those caught carrying a knife. The Scottish manifesto also pledges to introduce a commissioner to support victims of crime.