SEVEN year sentences for knife crime and 1000 extra police officers were pledged today by the LibDems.

Launching the party's Holyrood election manifesto, leader Nicol Stephen also promised smaller class sizes, a huge investment in the health service and a "renewables revolution".

Mr Stephen also laid out a timetable for his ambitions.

He said: "By the end of this year Liberal Democrats will have laid the foundations for a bright future for Scotland.

"In June, we will set out new opportunities for young people, giving them access to an hour a day of physical activity with new sports coaches and facilities to make it happen.

"In July, we will establish new seven year sentences for knife crime and a tough regime of community sentences.

"In August, we will publish our plans to get 1000 extra police officers to cut crime and make our streets safer.

"In September, we will set our 100% renewable electricity target and roll out new funding for micro-generation in homes and businesses across Scotland.

"In October, we will start our programme to build 100 new local health centres, and recruit 2000 extra nurses for faster diagnosis and treatment closer to where people live.

"In November, we will introduce a cut in business rates to below those in the rest of the UK, giving real competitive advantage to Scottish companies.

"In December, our plans to cut class sizes with 250 new schools and 1000 extra teachers will be implemented."

To overcome the current shortage of dentists in the NHS, £40m will be spent to deliver 200 more of them.

Mr Stephen also confirmed proposals for an income tax to replace the council tax, setting the level to be varied locally on a range between 3.5p and 3.75p to the pound.

He said: "Scottish Liberal Democrats think politics is about getting things done.

"We've delivered in government - the abolition of tuition fees, free personal care for the elderly and free eye and dental checks.

"None of these policies have happened in the rest of the UK.

"Our manifesto is a vision for a bright future for Scotland."

He said the party's plans were pro-education, pro-environment and pro-economy. SNP unveils business rates boost

FIFTEEN thousand small firms in Glasgow would pay no rates under the SNP, Alex Salmond said today.

And almost 4000 more would pay "significantly" less under his plans to breathe new life into the high street.

SNP leader Mr Salmond said small businesses should be freed from the burden of business rates so they were free to grow and provide more and better paid jobs in local communities.

He said: "There are too many boarded up shops and businesses in our villages, towns and cities.

"We propose to abolish business rates for all businesses with a rateable value of £8000 or less.

"In Glasgow, around 15,000 businesses will have their rates abolished and a further 3800 businesses will see their rates cut.

"Our proposals will directly benefit 120,000 businesses across Scotland. We shall also help a further 30,000 companies by providing rate relief of 25% and 50% for businesses with a rateable value between £8000 and £15,000.' Mr Salmond claimed his Small Business Bonus Scheme, which would cost £150million, would mean three out of four business would be better off.

In Scotland as a whole, 150,000 businesses would either have their business rates completely abolished or significantly reduced under the scheme.

The SNP chief said: "I want to see our high streets flourishing once again. The SNP's Small Business Bonus is designed to target small businesses and deliver meaningful help to them while at the same time benefiting the wider economy."

Under the SNP proposals, business rates for firms with a rateable value of £8000 a year or less will be abolished.

Businesses with a rateable value of £8000 to £10,000 a year will receive rates relief of 50% while those with a rateable value of between £10,000 and £15,000 would get 25% off their bills.

The SNP says other firms will benefit from their commitment to create parity with English rates. Tories issue warning over Lib-Lab pact

THE Tories claimed today that a vote for the LibDems was a vote for Labour.

The warning came as UK leader David Cameron joined Scottish boss Annabel Goldie in meeting families at RAF Leuchars.

Ms Goldie said: "The LibDems have been part of the Lib-Lab Pact for eight years.

"The reality is that all of its policies come with a for sale sign - for sale to Labour, for the price of a Ministerial Mercedes."

Labour is campaigning on its policies to tackle low-level crime through the introduction of community courts and named senior officers liaising with local comunities.

In Glasgow there are likely to be around 20 of these operating in the boudaries of the new council wards.

Elsewhere, SSP campaigners were canvassing at Glasgow's 15 Subway stations, six main line stations and Buchanan Street bus terminus on their free public transport policy.

Transport spokesperson Rosie Kane said: "It is now clear our free public transport policy has caught the public imagination."

Solidarity leader Tommy Sheridan was highlighting policies including replacing the council tax, abolition of water charges, a carers' allowance and free school meals.