It’s time to put Scotland First. Scotland has been put last by our politicians for far too long. Global corporations are allowed to destroy our high streets, eroding the local character and driving small businesses to extinction. Our resources and jobs are being outsourced abroad, leaving Scottish communities to face economic hardships and joblessness. This neglect and mismanagement have led to a decline in local industries, weakening our economy and undermining our sovereignty. At TSAP, we are dedicated to reversing this trend by prioritising Scottish interests, supporting local businesses, and ensuring our resources and jobs remain within our borders. Scottish Businesses First. We will always put Scottish businesses first by implementing policies that prioritize local enterprises over global corporations. This means providing financial support through tax incentives, grants, and affordable credit, ensuring that Scottish businesses have the resources they need to grow and thrive. We will also actively promote Scottish-made products both domestically and internationally, enhancing their visibility and market appeal. Additionally, we will work to strengthen local supply chains, reducing reliance on foreign imports and keeping jobs and resources within Scotland. By fostering a supportive environment for local businesses, we aim to create a robust, self-sustaining economy that benefits all Scots. Scottish People First. We will always put Scottish people first by prioritising their needs and well-being in every policy decision. This means ensuring access to high-quality education and healthcare, creating job opportunities through the support of local businesses, and safeguarding our natural resources for future generations. We will focus on building strong, connected communities where everyone feels valued and supported. By investing in infrastructure, promoting fair wages, and maintaining a robust social safety net, we aim to create a Scotland where all people can thrive and reach their full potential. Our commitment is to a government that serves the people, listens to their concerns, and acts in their best interests at all times. Scottish Culture First. We will always put Scottish culture first by preserving and promoting our rich heritage, traditions, and languages. This includes supporting local arts, music, and literature, ensuring they remain vibrant and accessible to all. We will invest in cultural institutions, festivals, and educational programs that celebrate Scotland's unique identity and history. By protecting our historical sites and natural landscapes, we will maintain the physical and cultural landmarks that define our nation. Our commitment is to a thriving cultural landscape where Scottish traditions are cherished, and our cultural contributions are recognised and celebrated both at home and abroad. Scottish Environment First. We will always put the Scottish environment first by prioritizing the protection and preservation of our rivers, forests, and natural landscapes. This means implementing robust conservation efforts to safeguard our waterways, ensuring they remain clean and healthy for wildlife and communities alike. We will invest in the sustainable management of our forests, promoting biodiversity and preventing deforestation. Our policies will focus on protecting Scotland’s unique ecosystems and natural beauty, ensuring they can be enjoyed by future generations. By placing a high value on our environmental heritage, we aim to create a sustainable and thriving natural environment that benefits all Scots. Scottish Services First. We will always put Scottish services first by ensuring that public services are adequately funded, efficiently managed, and easily accessible to all citizens. This includes enhancing local government services, improving public transportation systems, and ensuring reliable utilities such as water and electricity. We will focus on providing top-quality public amenities, from libraries and community centers to parks and recreational facilities, fostering vibrant and connected communities. By prioritising the improvement and maintenance of these essential services, we aim to enhance the quality of life for all Scots, ensuring that everyone benefits from well-functioning, locally-focused public services. Scottish Infrastructure First. We will always put Scottish infrastructure first by prioritizing the development and maintenance of robust, efficient, and modern infrastructure across the country. This includes investing in the improvement of transportation networks such as roads, railways, and public transit systems to ensure seamless connectivity within Scotland. We will enhance digital infrastructure to provide high-speed internet access to all communities, fostering economic growth and innovation. Our commitment also extends to the maintenance and upgrading of public utilities, ensuring reliable and sustainable water, energy, and waste management systems. By focusing on these critical areas, we aim to create a strong foundation that supports economic development, improves quality of life, and ensures long-term sustainability for all Scots. Closing remarks. At TSAP, we are committed to putting Scotland first in every policy we create. We believe in prioritizing local businesses, protecting our environment, enhancing public services, and developing robust infrastructure to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for all Scots. We are a party that listens to the voices of our people. We encourage you to publicly comment on our policies and share your thoughts and feedback. Your insights are invaluable and can help shape and refine our initiatives. Please engage respectfully and with an open mind, as together we can build a better Scotland. Your participation is crucial in creating a government that truly reflects the will and needs of its people. Let’s work together to make Scotland a better place for everyone.

Introduction. The Benefits system is broken. Those who genuinely need support receive minimal assistance, while many exploit the system to avoid working. This misuse not only strains public resources but also undermines the trust and integrity of the system itself. The current structure fails to distinguish between those in genuine need and those who choose dependency, creating an unfair and unsustainable model. TSAP will overhaul benefits to work for you. Imagine a system where those truly in need are adequately supported, and abuse of the system is a thing of the past. Our vision is a streamlined, fair, and effective welfare structure that prioritizes dignity and opportunity. This transformative approach will ensure that every pound spent goes towards helping those who genuinely require assistance, restoring faith in our social safety net. Medical reasons for Benefits. The current benefits system involves invasive checks that often intrude on personal privacy and can be demeaning for those genuinely in need. Claimants are frequently required to undergo rigorous assessments, including face-to-face interviews, extensive paperwork, and sometimes even home visits to verify their eligibility. These processes can be stressful and time-consuming, causing unnecessary hardship for those already struggling with health issues or other serious concerns Under TSAP’s new system, benefits can be prescribed by a GP for those unable to work due to medical reasons. This will eliminate the need for these invasive checks, ensuring that support is allocated based on verified health needs, providing a fair and efficient way to assist those genuinely unable to work. By involving medical professionals in the assessment process, we guarantee that only those with legitimate health concerns receive the necessary support, reducing misuse and ensuring resources are directed where they are most needed. Benefits for unemployment. TSAP's new unemployment benefits system is designed to provide immediate support to those experiencing a sudden loss of income. Benefits will be available from your nearest job centre as soon as you provide evidence of your income loss. To qualify for this support, beneficiaries will participate in up to 40 hours a week of manual labor for the council, ensuring that public resources are utilized effectively. Beneficiaries will be paid hourly for their work while on benefits. This system prevents abuse by ensuring that only those willing to work receive support, maintaining fairness and accountability while providing essential services to the community. Getting you back to work. Getting you back to work is the most important part of the plan. Our approach includes setting you up with a dedicated worker from the Job Centre who will assist you in finding a new job. This personalized support ensures you have the guidance and resources needed to secure employment. Additionally, you will be compensated for the hours you miss to attend interviews, alleviating financial stress during your job search. To further enhance your prospects, companies will be offered incentives to hire you, making it more attractive for them to bring you on board. If you remain at the job for more than six months, your case worker will receive a bonus, creating a strong motivation for them to help you succeed. This comprehensive plan not only supports you financially during the transition but also encourages long-term employment, benefiting both you and the wider community. Overpaid benefits. Overpaid benefits often result from administrative errors by the government. Currently, claimants are typically required to repay these overpayments, even when the mistake is entirely the government's fault. This policy places an unfair burden on individuals, especially those already struggling financially, and can lead to significant hardship TSAP believes that individuals should not be held liable for government errors. We propose cancelling the debt for overpayments due to administrative mistakes and ensuring that any future errors are the government's responsibility, not the individual's. This approach will protect claimants from undue financial stress and ensure a fairer and more just system. Increase to benefits payments. TSAP recognizes the pressing need to adjust benefits to align with the rising cost of living standards. Our plan includes increasing benefits to ensure they meet these growing demands, providing adequate support for all recipients. Furthermore, we aim to offer higher benefits for those with long-term inability to work, acknowledging their sustained financial needs and ensuring they receive the necessary support to maintain a decent quality of life. This approach ensures fairness and dignity for all, adapting our welfare system to the economic realities faced people across Scotland. Penalties for system abuse. A generous benefits system like the one TSAP envisions must be safeguarded against abuse to ensure its sustainability and fairness. Therefore, we propose strict penalties for those found undeniably and purposefully engaging in gross abuse of the system. Anyone caught in such actions will face severe consequences, including losing their rights to access benefits permanently. This measure ensures that resources are preserved for those who genuinely need them and maintains the integrity of our welfare system. By implementing these high penalties, we can protect the system from exploitation and ensure its effectiveness in supporting those in true need. Closing remarks. TSAP is a party that listens to YOU. We encourage everyone to publicly comment on our policies, including any disagreements you may have. Your feedback is invaluable and can inspire positive changes in our policies. We urge all members and the public to engage in discussions respectfully and with an open mind. Together, we can create a fair and effective system that truly serves the needs of our community. Your voice matters, and we are here to listen and adapt.