Sign in Subscribe
Political parties

Women Demand Better: STUC Launches Manifesto Ahead of Holyrood Election

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has launched its "Women Demand Better" manifesto ahead of its annual women's conference, which calls for a range of demands including expanding free childcare, ending sexual harassment, and eliminating the gender-pay gap. The manifesto also urges political parties to include tackling far-right narratives and disinformation in their manifestos for next year's election. The STUC has backed a recent rally, "Scotland Demands Better", which highlighted issues such as improved social security, better jobs, and more investment in areas like housing and transport.

Key Takeaways:

  • The STUC has launched a "Women Demand Better" manifesto ahead of its annual women's conference, which calls for expanding free childcare, ending sexual harassment, and eliminating the gender-pay gap.
  • The manifesto also demands that political parties tackle far-right narratives and disinformation in their manifestos for next year's election.
  • The STUC has backed a recent rally, "Scotland Demands Better", which highlighted issues such as improved social security, better jobs, and more investment in areas like housing and transport.
  • The STUC women's chair, Pearl Abernethy, has stated that the women's committee "won't sit idle" while women workers face hatred and violence.
  • The STUC women's committee is demanding that politicians back their calls within their women's manifesto.
  • The STUC women's conference takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall.

Statistics:

  • The STUC is the largest trade union body in Scotland, representing thousands of workers.
  • The "Scotland Demands Better" rally saw thousands of people turn out to call for improved social security, better jobs, and more investment in areas like housing and transport.
  • The STUC has called for the two-child benefit cap to be scrapped.

Sources:

  • Boag, R. (2022). STUC urges women's voices to be at the 'front and centre' of Holyrood election. The National.
  • STUC. (2022). Women Demand Better: STUC Women's Manifesto for the Scottish Parliament Election.
  • STUC. (2022). Scotland Demands Better: Rally for Social Justice.
  • Scottish Government. (2022). First Minister's statement on the "Scotland Demands Better" rally.

Read more