Latest Press Releases
| CON/DEM COALITION FAILING MORAY ON ECONOMY |
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| Monday, 05 September 2011 00:00 |
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PLAN B URGENTLY NEEDED SAYS ROBERTSON Moray’s MP Angus Robertson has re-iterated the SNP’s call for a Plan B from the UK Government after yet another report has downgraded UK economic growth forecasts for 2011. The report from the British Chambers of Commerce forecasts that the UK economy will expand by a meagre 1.1% compared with previous Government estimates of more than double that at 2.6%. Local SNP MP, Mr Robertson, who leads the SNP’s Westminster Group of MPs says that the impact is particularly hard on Moray, which has already seen the local economy grind to a halt during the recent extended period of uncertainty over the region’s RAF Bases. Mr Robertson said the latest news simply underlined the need for a long-called for Plan B to inject investment in infrastructure to get the economy moving. Angus Robertson MP said: “ These shocking growth forecasts underline the growing urgency for a change of direction at Westminster, with the delivery of a Plan B to boost growth. “ Capital budgets have been slashed, drastically reduced the cash available to the Scottish Government and Local Authorities like The Moray Council to invest in new infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. That situation must be reversed if we are to get people in work and off benefits. “ It is one thing to cut expenditure to reduce the deficit but if it puts millions of people in the dole queue then the cost of jobless benefits puts the country back to square one. It is a balance and the UK Government have been told time and again they are going to far in one direction at the expense of economic growth. " Measures are needed to boost consumer confidence, especially critical to recovery at a time of inflation, fuel and food price pressures. We need to see a new focus on additional infrastructure investment, such as new transport and housing projects, to create new jobs and new capital assets for the long-term. And we also need the UK government to take action to ensure the banks improve access to finance to help good businesses grow. " The Scottish Government is building recovery in Scotland, with a growth strategy prioritising capital investment that has contributed to eight consecutive reported months of falls in unemployment, protecting household budgets though the council tax freeze, and helping bolster consumer confidence with no compulsory redundancies for staff in government, our agencies and the health service. “ That positive news must not be undermined by Westminster and it is vital that action is taken so that the eight months of rising employment we have had in Scotland can continue, as opposed to having our recovery blown off-course. “Scotland urgently needs access to all the key levers of economic growth, such as borrowing powers and corporation tax, to enhance investment and create more jobs across the Scottish economy.” |
