Scottish Lib Dem manifesto: Key policies analysed

There’s a reminder from the Scottish Lib Dems of how much Westminster employment law applies here, with extensive plans to change it.

Some Lib Dem policies go further than Labour’s, which is frustrating to Labour’s trade union affiliates.

These two manifestos reflect the difference between a party cautiously planning on being in power, and a party which sees itself pushing and influencing ministers from the opposite side of the Commons.

The more distinctive policies include several measures to reduce the precarious nature of “gig”, or self-employed contractor, work. Lib Dems would like to enact a 20% premium on minimum hourly pay rates for workers on zero-hour contracts, with a right to ask for a contract after 12 months.

They argue for fairer tax and allowances between employed and self-employed people, and pensions and sick pay for such “dependent contractors”.

They argue also for a radical reworking of company law, requiring firms to redirect their “purpose” to society and the environment, as well as to shareholders. That could have far-reaching implications.

Poor productivity, one of the key challenges for the UK economy, would be addressed with improved incentives to invest in training, recognising also that the next government will have to tackle regulation of artificial intelligence.

Plus, there’s the idea of “reviewing the UK excise duty structure to better support whisky exports”. That may prove difficult, as UK excise does not apply to exports.