The Scottish National Party has focussed on its policies to improve education north of the border, with policies to reduce class sizes in primaries to a maximum of 18 for the key early years.

Party leader John Swinney said the class size reductions would be progressively implemented and would begin in areas with the greatest deprivation

"The SNP are also pledged to establish an education convention, with the aim of securing a consensus approach to developing and delivering education policy in Scotland," said Swinney.

The proposed convention would be chaired by the education minister and provide parents, teachers, local authorities, employers, students and others with an opportunity to discuss education policy in Scotland.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats in Scotland have unveiled key policies to improve the living standards of pensioners.

The commitments to secure "justice, freedom and honesty in old age" include £5 a week for every pensioner , £10 for the over 75s and £15 for the over 80s as well as the introduction of a flexible retiring age.

Jim Wallace, Lib Dem leader in Scotland, said: "Pensioners know they can trust us to deliver on our promises because we say how we will pay for them. Liberals at the beginning of the last century introduced the pension. Liberal Democrats at the beginning of this century promise to make the difference for pensioners."

Wallace added that the basic state pension is the best way to help the neediest pensioners, but that it should be backed up by secondary private provision.