It's hurting - but it's not working

Speaking following the Autumn Statement, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Margaret Curran, said:

"This statement exposed the colossal failure of the Tories’ economic plan. The Chancellor has admitted what families, pensioners and businesses across Scotland know – his plan is hurting, but it’s not working. The Tory plans mean unemployment rising, growth flatlining, and tens of billion more borrowing. (1)

"Scotland is hardest hit because the SNP’s inaction on jobs and growth means youth unemployment is even higher in Scotland that the rest of the UK – topping 100,000 for the first time since records began. (2)

"George Osborne’s strategy is completely in tatters. Plan A has simply failed, but the tragedy we face in Scotland is that the SNP’s plan isn’t working either.

"Scrapping the Future Jobs Fund in his first month in office was a catastrophic mistake from George Osborne because it helped over 9,000 Scots get the training and skills they need to get work. But with growth forecasts down and the future looking bleak, there will be fewer jobs available. That is why Scotland needs a jobs plan and a growth plan to go hand in hand.

"That is why Labour’s 5 point plan for jobs and growth is so important with a VAT cut now to cut costs and bills, and tax breaks for firms taking on new staff."

Scottish Labour Leader Iain Gray added:

"Any extra money for Scotland under the Barnett formula from capital projects should be sent on projects that create jobs right now and right here in Scotland. John Swinney has cut capital spending in Scotland twice as fast as even George Osborne."

29 November 2011