SCOTTISH LABOUR would enact a “social responsibility levy” to tackle alcohol and drugs misuse, shadow health secretary Monica Lennon announced at the party’s annual conference today.

Referencing the ongoing drugs crisis in host city Dundee, which has the highest number of narcotic-related deaths in Europe, Ms Lennon said she would use powers under the Alcohol Scotland Act 2010 to raise revenue for investment in tackling health inequalities.

Scottish Labour research found that a levy of £0.022 per unit of alcohol could raise more than £100 million a year.

She said: “Urgent change is needed. Overall life expectancy in Scotland has fallen for the first time in 35 years.

“How can it be right that the richest Scots can expect good health for 20 years longer than the poorest?”

Similar themes dominated the ensuing debate on health and care, with motions tabled on mental health, LGBT+ services and pensions.

Proposing a motion to tackle health inequalities across all policy areas, Bob Thomson of the Socialist Health Association Scotland blamed Conservative austerity for disparities in life expectancy across Scotland.

“What is the cause of this shameful scandalous state of affairs in one of the richest countries in the world?” he asked. “Is poverty exacerbated by austerity a deliberate policy — indeed, weapon — of the Tory Party?”

Local government and employers came under fire as budget cuts and operational decisions were blamed for worsening quality and quantity of social care across Scotland.

A priority motion from Scottish Labour Women’s Conference saw Patricia Duncan of Perth and Kinross CLP call for “a care service publicly owned and free at the point of use.”

Workers from community care providers Cornerstone also brought their fight against union de-recognition to the conference floor.

And on International Women’s Day, some of the loudest delegate support was reserved for a motion protesting state pension inequality for women.

Closing the debate, MSP David Stewart paid tribute to the NHS, quoting Nye Bevan in conclusion: “The NHS will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it.”