SNP map out plans to beat 'Downing Street Downturn'

Published on Friday 17 October 2008 10:34

FINANCE Secretary John Swinney was today spelling out how the SNP plans to help Scotland out of the "Downing Street downturn".

He was due to tell the party's annual conference in Perth the Scottish Government had been doing all in its power to boost Scotland's economy.

He was expected to detail the level of infrastructure investment and help for small businesses that it is on course to deliver.

Mr Swinney, who is leading the Scottish Government's "Six Point Plan" to help business and householders during tough economic times, said: "From day one we have been working hard to make sure our nation is well placed to prosper. We are investing record amounts – 14 billion over the next three years – in our nations infrastructure: new railways, new hospitals and new schools.

"These early actions – lower and fairer tax, record investment in our nation's infrastructure and a public sector that is working together – were designed to kick-start and maintain higher levels of growth. They will also serve us well in the face of the current financial whirlwinds. From April next year, small businesses will get a further boost, with 100 per cent rates relief available to tens of thousands of our smallest businesses."

Mr Swinney's speech on the second day of the conference in Perth came after First Minister Alex Salmond used his opening speech yesterday to blame Gordon Brown for taking the country to "the brink of recession".

With less than three weeks to go to the crucial Glenrothes by-election, the SNP has opened fire on the Prime Minister for his role in the financial crisis.

SNP Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie said: "Recognising the collapse in HBoS share price was driven by the global crisis, Gordon Brown as Chancellor for ten years cannot abdicate responsibility for the failure to have a proper regulatory regime that led to this."

The party leadership is furious with Labour for claiming an independent Scotland could not have mounted the current bank rescue. The Nationalists are still talking up their chances of victory in the by-election.

Mr Swinney told the delegates: "When the SNP does well, Scotland does well – that is why SNP success in the Glenrothes by-election will send a powerful message to Westminster, and help lift Scotland up and out of the Downing Street Downturn."

Meanwhile, the Greens today named the price for their support for the SNP in the crucial vote to approve next year's Scottish Government budget.

The votes of the two Green MSPs are likely to be vital for ministers to get their spending plans endorsed by MSPs. In return, they will call for free home insulation for all Scots, plus free energy assessments and money to install green energy.

The party argues a national programme of this sort would cut household bills, help eliminate fuel poverty and improve health, as well as reducing Scotland's carbon footprint. The Greens say an estimated 650,000 Scots were in fuel poverty last year and the number will almost certainly have risen since.