SNP WELCOMES LAUNCH OF UK GOVERNMENT ‘REAL HELP NOW’ WEBSITE.

SNP WELCOMES LAUNCH OF UK GOVERNMENT ‘REAL HELP NOW’ WEBSITE.

UK GOVERNMENT TRUMPETS SNP ECONOMY ACTION.

SNP Treasury spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, has welcomed the launch of the UK Government’s “real help now” website by Prime Minister Gordon Brown today (Monday) – the website lists SNP Government action, such as the Council Tax freeze and flexible business support, as key efforts being taken to help the economy through the recession.

Visitors to the website who wish to see what action the UK Government is taking for Scotland are redirected to the Scottish Government website, and a BBC story about the Council Tax freeze by Edinburgh City Council’s SNP-led administration.

Mr Hosie said:

”Gordon Brown’s enthusiasm for the Scottish Government’s economic recovery programme is certainly welcome, if not a little confusing.

”Over the weekend the Chancellor accused the SNP of ignoring the economic realities, and today the Prime Minister launches a website praising the action being taken by the SNP Government.

“The Prime Minister’s apparent backing for the action being taken by the Scottish Government will be a huge embarrassment for Iain Gray who has again been left looking ridiculous by his London masters.

”If Gordon Brown is serious about tackling the economic crisis then he should start by ruling out Labour’s planned cuts to public spending in Scotland which would be so damaging in the teeth of recession.

"The Scottish Government put forward responsible plans to win parliamentary approval to spend Scotland's budget allocation over three years. "For the UK Government to then come in and plan to chop £1 billion off is totally unacceptable – especially at a time when Scotland is in budget surplus, contributing far more to the UK exchequer than we get back in return.