Scottish Labour will today announce its “alternative programme for government” ahead of parliament’s return next week.
Kezia Dugdale will outline what policies her party would have brought forward had they won May’s election, including bills calling for an investment in education and an outright ban on fracking.
Ms Dugdale’s party slipped into third place at the election – its worst showing in Scotland since 1910.
But, speaking in Edinburgh, the Scottish Labour leader is expected to draw parallels with the electoral victory of London Mayor Sadiq Khan to show a Labour government would be a “frenzy of activity”.
She will add: “Brexit has changed politics in Scotland and the UK.
“It is absolutely right that protecting Scotland’s interests in Europe should be one of the first minister’s priorities.
“But it can’t be at the expense of everything else our Scottish Government is responsible for.
“And all the things it will soon be responsible for.
“After years of constitutional debate, it is time for the first minister and all Scottish Government ministers to focus on the job of reforming and investing in our public services, and getting people back to work.”
Among her plans is an education bill, funded by an increase in the top rate of tax to 50p, and legislation to outlaw underground coal gasification – or fracking – in Scotland.
Other areas of focus include legislation to tackle poverty and to support care workers in the NHS.
Across the UK, Labour has been wracked by an increasingly divisive leadership contest, with some polls giving the governing Conservative Party double-digit leads.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will outline her program for government on Tuesday.
