Growing Scotland's economy in the years ahead could be difficultpublished at 16:23 BST

16:23 BST

David Henderson
BBC Scotland business correspondent

Economic growth is the Scottish Tories' key goal. Findlay says growing the economy - not "hiking taxes" - will deliver more money to cut NHS waiting lists, raise school standards and fix the potholes.

He's clear the next Scottish government - whoever that is - will face an urgent need to balance the budget through spending cuts or tax rises. His remedy includes cutting what he calls "Scotland's bloated benefits bill".

There's a big focus on delivering income tax cuts for Scots and making energy costs more affordable, as part of an effort to tackle the cost of living crisis. All these plans, he claims, are fully costed – unlike those of his rivals.

Since devolution began, nearly every candidate for first minister has pledged to grow Scotland’s economy as a priority. Making it happen in the next few years could prove very difficult.

Scotland is gonna need a bigger prison systempublished at 16:15 BST

16:15 BST

David Cowan
BBC Scotland home affairs correspondent

In the 1970s movie "Jaws," police chief Brody glimpses the great white shark and tells his skipper: "You're gonna need a bigger boat."

Under the Scottish Conservatives' manifesto commitments, Scotland is gonna need a bigger prison system.

They promise a “three-convictions-and-it's-jail” policy for serial shoplifters and people committing anti-social behaviour, tougher sentences for sex offenders and mandatory life terms for child rapists.

Killers who refuse to reveal what happened to their victims would face a "no body, no parole" rule.

Whole-life tariffs would guarantee some murderers would die in jail.

Automatic early release for all prisoners would be abolished.

The Conservatives say they’ll fast-track new "no frills" jails, extend existing prisons and send criminals to foreign jails.

The bill will be substantial but the Tories say they'll protect communities and provide justice for victims.

Critics will say Scotland jails far too many people as it is.

Attacking independence has worked before - will it again?published at 16:00 BST

16:00 BST

Lynsey Bews
BBC Scotland political correspondent

The Tories’ pitch is aimed squarely at workers, pensioners and - perhaps most of all - unionists.

For those paying income tax, the party hopes the promise of a cut to current rates will prove attractive at a time when the cost of living is rising.

And for some pensioners, there’s an eye-catching £500 cash-back offer.

But after outlining those proposals, Russell Findlay returned to a very familiar Tory refrain - opposition to a second independence referendum.

Positioning themselves as the foil to the nationalists’ cause has worked well for the party in past elections.

But with the constitution sitting further down many voters’ priorities lists, will it be an effective tactic again?

Tories want to cut the 'bloated' benefits billpublished at 15:50 BST

15:50 BST

Chris Clements
BBC Scotland social affairs correspondent

Over the last decade, control of some welfare benefits has been devolved from Westminster to Holyrood.

The Scottish Conservatives say Scotland now has a “bloated benefits bill” and systems of “light-touch reviews” that will lead to spending of £10bn a year.

The party proposes a two-child limit on the Scottish Child Payment. Introduced in 2021, those on certain benefits received a £10 payment per week per child under 16, before it gradually rose to £28 this month. The Tories say families should only receive this benefit for the first two children.

In addition, the manifesto also proposes restrictions on Discretionary Housing Payments that were introduced to mitigate against the UK’s controversial “bedroom tax” of the 2010s.

The party also says it will reinstate the UK’s old Cold Weather Payment for pensioners, which was replaced by Social Security Scotland, and tie it to average temperatures.

Elsewhere, the Tories echo Reform’s proposals to reinstate the “local connection” criteria for homelessness applicants, tying the issue to asylum seekers and the housing shortages in Glasgow.

How scrapping the 2045 net-zero target could affect the UK governmentpublished at 15:42 BST

15:42 BST

Kevin Keane
BBC Scotland environment correspondent

One Scottish Conservative manifesto pledge blows a hole in the UK's commitment to reach "net zero" planet-warming emissions by 2050.

The concern is that tackling climate change involves costs which Scotland "cannot afford," like green heating and electric vehicles.

So it commits to scrapping the target of reaching net-zero by 2045, which is five years ahead of the UK as a whole.

The target was recommended by the independent Climate Change Committee because Scotland's land has the space to plant more trees which absorb carbon dioxide.

What it doesn't require is for average households to switch to green technologies any quicker than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The targets for each of the home nations are intrinsically linked and so if Scotland doesn't hit the target by 2045, the UK won't hit it by 2050.

At the moment, that would put the UK's climate ambitions behind most of the developed world.

No seismic changes proposed to council financepublished at 15:36 BST

15:36 BST

Jamie McIvor
BBC Scotland news correspondent

The Conservatives argue they would free up money so councils can provide local services.

There is no suggestion of seismic changes to council finance, like scrapping the council tax.

Instead they propose giving councils a fixed proportion of the Scottish government's budget. Every year, the amount would go up in line with the overall government budget.

The party also proposes giving councils far more freedom over how to spend their money.

At present, a significant proportion has to be spent on particular aims or objectives agreed between councils and Holyrood.

Some specific policy proposals discuss issues which the party hopes would resonate with voters.

A pothole fund would certainly grab attention but the devil would be in the detail. Many councils have promised "action on potholes" over the years.

Funding to abolish some council car park charges could certainly be attractive to some motorists. But some councils would argue the charges are also designed to help reduce unnecessary car use and congestion.

Sending prisoners abroad would come with a hefty pricetagpublished at 15:28 BST

15:28 BST

David Cowan
BBC Scotland home affairs correspondent

Packing off Scottish criminals to foreign prisons is an eye-catching proposal from the Scottish Conservatives, but it could cost a small fortune.

The Tories want to copy Sweden, which has struck an agreement to dispatch up to 600 of its prisoners to a jail in Estonia.

Sweden will stump up £7,395 for each of them every month, compared to £3,928 for housing inmates in a Scottish prison.

If Scotland struck the same deal, that would represent an 88% increase for each prisoner sent overseas.

And if we transported 600 of them to jails abroad, the annual bill would be £53m.

A hefty price tag - and that's before anyone starts talking about human rights.

The idea is undeniably an alternative to releasing prisoners early to ease overcrowding - the route taken by the SNP-run Scottish government - and in the short term it is cheaper than building new jails.

Russell Findlay ended his speech to rousing applause from party members.

He highlighted the party's five key pledges as:

1. Cutting tax bills
2. Raising school standards
3. Delivering faster GP appointments
4. Fixing the roads
5. Putting more police officers on the streets

But there is also lots of detail in the 95-page manifesto which he didn't mention. Our correspondents have been poring over it and we'll bring you their takeaways.

If you're just joining us, here are the key lines that emerged from Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay's speech at the launch of his party's manifesto:

• The document has five key pledges: Cutting tax bills, raising school standards, delivering faster GP appointments, fixing the roads and more police officers
• Findlay insisted it was a comprehensive, costed and credible manifesto
• The Scottish Conservatives plan to "hand back" £500 to pensioners
• They would cut business taxes and ease the burden of red tape
• Findlay turned his fire on John Swinney, accusing him of having a "rotten record" and warned of "the living nightmare" if the SNP leader gets his way
• He accused Reform of being "unionist in name only" and a party that "cannot be trusted"
• The Scottish Tory leader concluded by calling for people to back his party on the peach-coloured ballot paper and "stop the SNP"

Image source, PA Media

As Russell Findlay leaves the stage, here is a link to the just-published Scottish Conservative manifesto, external.

Findlay insists his party will stand up for "Scotland's place in the union" and adds it will oppose any attempt to hold another independence referendum.

He says every vote for the Scottish Conservatives on the peach-coloured ballot paper will help them keep the SNP out of government.

Findlay concludes by saying: "We have just 30 days to stop the SNP."

The Scottish Tory leader claims Reform UK is "unionist in name only".

Findlay says the party "cannot be trusted" and it is not a surprise to see independence supporters standing as Reform candidates.

He criticises Reform's manifesto and candidates, saying they cannot be trusted to take on the SNP.

Findlay says Swinney has been clear and consistent that he would use an SNP majority "to press ahead with his plan to hold a second divisive referendum on breaking up our country".

The Scottish Tory leader adds: "Can you imagine the living nightmare if John Swinney gets his majority and gets his way?".

Image source, PA Media

The Scottish Tory leader insists his party has always been the "party of business".

Findlay says he would cut business taxes and ease the burden of red tape.

Growing the economy is at the heart of the Tory manifesto, he insists.

He accuses First Minister John Swinney of "more spin, more hollow, cynical words" and says the SNP have a "rotten record".

Findlay says it is "shameful" that the prime minister took the winter fuel payments from pensioners.

He says the Scottish Conservatives plan to hand back £500 to pensioners, who he adds have worked hard and "deserve to enjoy retirement".

"The pension income tax relief scheme would allow them to claim back the first £500 they pay in tax on their pension income," Findlay says.

Findlay says his party can offer a lower-tax Scotland, a booming Scotland, an efficient Scotland.

The Scottish Tory leader says: "It is comprehensive, it is costed, and it is credible."

Findlay says the manfiesto is the most comprehensive ever produced by the Scottish Tories and he highlights five key pledges:

1. Cutting tax bills
2. Raising school standards
3. Delivering faster GP appointments
4. Fixing the roads
5. Putting more police officers on the streets

Image source, PA Media

Russell Findlay begins the launch of his party's manifesto Get Scotland Working, external, with a joke saying it's the most exciting launch since Artemis II spacecraft.

The Scottish Tory leader says he is "immensely proud" of the manifesto.

The Scottish Conservatives will shortly launch their election manifesto, with party leader Russell Findlay making his pitch to form the next Scottish government and become first minister.

Politicians, party supporters and journalists are gathering at a hotel in Edinburgh.

We're expecting Findlay to make his speech from about 14:30.

We'll bring you full coverage and reaction, as well as catching up with the other main political parties as they take to the streets.

You can watch the manifesto launch by clicking on the Watch Live icon at the top of this page.

The 2021 election took place on Thursday 6 May, when Scotland was still dealing with Covid restrictions.

The SNP won 64 seats - one short of a majority but one more than it won in the previous election.

The Scottish Conservatives came second with 31.

Next was Scottish Labour, on 22.

The Scottish Greens had eight and the Scottish Liberal Democrats secured four seats.