CAMPAIGNING for the Scottish Parliament elections has got underway in earnest with parties stating early priorities and campaign groups setting out their demands.

The Scottish Government made announcements on new schools, which were welcomed by opposition parties but with a warning that council budget cuts could limit the impact.

More funding to build social rented homes was revealed, welcomed by housing associations with concerns expressed that suitable land needs to be made available.

And cash for breast cancer research was unveiled by the Health Secretary as nursing leaders warned that staffing levels and skills training must be prioritised in the next five years.

As Nicola Sturgeon revealed the latest 19 schools to be rebuilt under the£1.8bn Schools for the Future programme Labour and the Lib Dems warned the benefits could be limited if council budget cuts continue.

Ian Gray Labour, Labour Education spokesman said: "This investment doesn't mask the impact SNP Government cuts will have on our schools, though.

“John Swinney's budget will mean cuts of half a billion pounds from local budgets for schools and childcare.”

He said Labour would increase tax for earnings over £150,000 and give head teachers in the most deprived areas extra cash to raise attainment.

Lib Dem education spokesman Liam McArthur said: “New schools can provide an excellent learning and teaching environment for pupils and staff.

“However, John Swinney’s savage cuts to Council budgets will be disastrous for the delivery of high-quality education across Scotland.”

The Housing Minister Margaret Burgess announced the subsidy to Registered Social Landlords will increase by up to £14,000 per home taking the cash available in Glasgow up from £58,000 to £70,000.

Ms Burgess said she accepted the recommendations of an expert group who said the cash which had been cut in 2011 from £70,000 to £40,000 should be increased to the original level.

The minister said: “We are aware of the pressures being faced by councils and housing associations, and support their recommendations on increasing subsidies.

“Housing is at the heart of our ambitions to create a fairer and prosperous country and councils and registered social landlords will play a critical role in realising that.”

Housing officials said the reversal of the cut was long awaited

Mary Taylor, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), said: “We look forward to seeing the detail and to working with our members, funders and the Scottish Government and local authorities, to add to the supply of social housing at affordable rents.

“While the increased grant levels are a welcome boost, we are aware that other factors impact on the sector’s ability to deliver increased numbers of affordable housing. The key issues are planning, infrastructure and the availability of affordable land.”

Shona Robison, Health Secretary said almost half a million pounds would be granted to breast cancer research with half going to the Beatson Centre in Glasgow.

Ms Robison said: ““While research into cancer is vital, we must also continue to invest in the treatment for those with the condition. Demand for radiotherapy is set to increase significantly over the next 10 years as more of us live longer and more cases of cancer are detected at an earlier stage.

The commitment comes as nurses are calling for investment in staffing and skills in their election ‘manifesto’.

Theresa Fyfe, Royal College of Nursing Scotland Director said:

“This manifesto is the voice of our members. They see the pressures on Scotland’s health services day-in-and-day-out.

“One of the things we’re asking is that a government-led workforce and skills impact assessment is carried out each time a new health or social care policy is proposed. It’s vital that policy initiatives which come from Government take into account the number of staff needed to implement them, and the skills of those staff.”