LOCAL MSP Keith Brown has welcomed a “bold agenda” for Scotland following the SNP Spring Conference over the weekend.

At the conference, which was held in Glasgow, the First Minister announced a series of policies ahead of the May elections.

Mr Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire & Dunblane, said: “At the SNP Conference this weekend, the First Minister set out a number of policies that I will be proud to take to people across Clackmannanshire and Dunblane in the Scottish Parliament election in May.

“The SNP already has record to be proud of: crime is at a 41 year low; Council Tax bills have been frozen for nine years; more school leavers are in work, education or training than ever before; the health budget has reached a record £13 billion; and we have full mitigated the Bedroom Tax.

“The bold agenda set out by the First Minister will build on this record of achievement – to deliver a fairer, more prosperous and confident country.

“It is clear that the only way to secure this progressive vision for Scotland is to vote both votes SNP and re-elect a strong SNP government led by Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister.”

The policies included an increase in Maternity Grants for the first child, the reintroduction of payments for subsequent children and payments for children beginning nursery classes and starting school.

The First Minister said a new SNP government would extend free school meals to all 2-4 year olds in nurseries, invest an extra £750 million over the next parliament, partly paid for by making the Council Tax fairer, to raise the attainment of the most disadvantaged young people.

Also, she would protect NHS funding in every year of the next parliament and make an additional investment of £50 million in cancer treatment, as well as extend superfast broadband to every Scottish community.