REPORT SLAMS WESTMINSTER WELFARE PLANS AS ‘BOGUS’ AND ‘POVERTY PRODUCING

REPORT SLAMS WESTMINSTER WELFARE PLANS AS ‘BOGUS’ AND ‘POVERTY PRODUCING


’A report from the Child Poverty Action Group has condemned the Westminster Government’s benefit uprating plans as ‘based on bogus claims and is a poverty-producing bill that will further exclude the poorest workers, jobseekers, carers and disabled people’.The Westminster Government is in the process of legislating to break the link between benefits and inflation, by capping any increase to benefits payments of 1% per annum, well below the rate of inflation.

This is expected to have the cumulative effect of introducing a 4% real-terms cut to working-age benefits payments received by workers, jobseekers, carers and disabled people over the next three years.

Commenting, SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Eilidh Whiteford MP for Banff and Buchan  said:

“This report makes damning reading for the Westminster Government who are set to throw their commitments to tackle child poverty out the window by hammering some of the poorest people in society.

“It shows that their arguments are fundamentally flawed and are set to do untold damage to thousands and thousands of people across Scotland.“The Coalition’s welfare plans will inevitably only increase poverty and increase inequality in society, which is why they have been condemned in such stark and unequivocal terms.

“It could scarcely be clearer that the Westminster Government has its priorities all wrong and are failing to act in the interests of people in Scotland.“Decisions over taxes and welfare in Scotland should be made by people in Scotland so that we can build the kind of country that Westminster has consistently failed to deliver. Only a Yes vote for an independent Scotland in next year’s referendum will give us that opportunity.” 

ST ANDREW'S DAY - 2011

ST ANDREW'S DAY - 30th November 2011

 ST ANDREW THE PATRON SAINT OF SCOTLAND, ROMANIA, RUSSIA, AND GREECE is now recognised by the Scottish Government via the initial proposal by independent Member of the Scottish Parliament Dennis Canavan - Mr Canavan's proposal was at first rejected but there is little doubt that his initiative started the ball rolling enough that the then First Minister, Jack McConnell believed in recognising the importance of St Andrew's day and a compromise to Mr Canavan's original Bill was made. Scotland has now recognised that since 2006 St Andrew's day is an official bank holiday.
The Scottish Government regulations say that the "Flag of Scotland", (The Saltire") will be on each flagpole on St Andrew's Day and if the building flying "The Saltire" has another flagpole then you may also see the Union Jack, if the building has only one flagpole then the Union Jack will be removed and replaced with the "Flag of Scotland", (The Saltire).
It should be noted that the British Army refuses to fly the "Flag of Scotland" on St Andrew's Day above Edinburgh Castle, yet in their recruitment literature the Union Jack is replaced by the "Saltire", this has been suggested as hypocritical by the Scottish Government.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 14th November 2010

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 14th November 2010

The day when those killed in wars from 1914-18 and 1939-45 and later conflicts are commemorated.

POLL - SCOTS BLAME LABOUR FOR RISING UNEMPLOYMENT

POLL - SCOTS BLAME LABOUR FOR RISING UNEMPLOYMENT

ANOTHER SURVEY PUTS LABOUR ON THE SPOT FOR RECESSION & JOB LOSSES

Commenting on another poll which shows that most Scots blame Labour for the economic problems Scotland faces the SNP’s Deputy Whip Angela Constance, and MSP for Livingston, said:

“This is a bad poll for Labour coming in the week that they hold their Scottish conference. It also confirms the previous Mori poll showing most Scots blame Labour for the spending cuts.

“The SNP is the only party offering better for the people of Scotland. An alternative to the dismal cuts and risk of double dip recession coming from London with a call for economic powers for Scotland to continue investment in training, apprenticeships and support for employment.

“While Alex Salmond and the SNP's experienced team are working hard to help households through the recovery Iain Gray cannot escape the fact that the recession happened on Labour’s watch.

“Gordon Brown may be gone but Labour’s legacy will not be forgotten and Cameron's cuts are risking thousands more Scottish jobs.  Voters will not allow Labour, the Tories or LibDems to escape from their responsibility for the economic mess and the cuts coming Scotland’s way."

1. The poll results are as follows:

YouGov / Scottish Daily Mail Survey Results     

Sample Size: 1405 Scottish Adults        

Fieldwork: 18th - 20th October 2010      

           

QUESTION:

Unemployment levels rose in Scotland in the three months to August, with an extra 13,000 people out of work. Which of the following politicians, if any, do you blame the most for rising unemployment in Scotland?          

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown	32
Prime Minister David Cameron	27
First Minister Alex Salmond	8
None of these	19
Don't know	13

2. Details of the Mori poll showing Scots blame the former UK Labour government for forthcoming spending cuts can be sought form here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11516478

   
www.twitter.com/theSNP

  
www.snp.org

  
www.bepartofbetter.net

CHANCELLOR SAYS MOD MUST PAY FOR TRIDENT

CHANCELLOR SAYS MOD MUST PAY FOR TRIDENT

TRIDENT BECOMES DEFENCE DANGER TO CONVENTIONAL FORCES

Confirmation from the Chancellor that the costs of replacing Trident
will come from the Ministry of Defence's core budget has been met with
concern by SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus
Robertson MP, who warned that inclusion of Trident into the MoD core
budget changed the terms of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

In an interview during his visit to India, Osborne is reported saying:
"The Trident costs, I have made it absolutely clear, are part of the
defence budget. All budgets have pressure. I don't think there's
anything particularly unique about the Ministry of Defence. I have
made it very clear that Trident renewal costs must be taken as part of
the defence budget."

Mr Robertson said:

“George Osborne’s announcement fundamentally changes the context of
the strategic defence review which began on the assumption that the
cost of Trident would be met centrally by the Treasury.

“From being a deterrence during the Cold War, Trident has itself now
become one of the biggest defence risks we face with the cost of
replacement threatening the future of conventional forces and bases.

“Absorbing Trident into the core defence budget is unsustainable and
would have a devastating impact for spending on conventional forces,
which are already overstretched. The implications of this decision
could not be more serious.

“The strategic review is about choices for the future and prioritising
our defence needs in a changed world. Conventional forces, which have
already been cut back, should not be forced to compete with Trident
for resources.

“Anyway that you look at it; on moral, economic or political grounds,
renewal of these weapons of mass destruction is untenable.

“The SNP believe it should be scrapped and more so, at a time when
public spending faces savage cuts across the board, the time has come
to accept that Trident can no longer be treated as some sacred cow.
The majority of Scots oppose Trident along with the Scottish
Parliament and civil society. In these financially difficult times why
should Scots pay for the London parties' obsession with weapons of
mass destruction?”

SNP ON INDEPENDENT BUDGET REVIEW

SNP ON INDEPENDENT BUDGET REVIEW
 
LABOUR FAIL TEST OF OPPOSITION – NEVER MIND GOVERNMENT
 
Commenting on the Independent Budget Review produced by a team led by Crawford Beveridge  SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said:
 
“This report exposes the true scale of the cuts Scotland will face as a result of Labour’s mismanagement of the UK economy and the Tory and Lib Dems desire to cut too quickly and deeply.
 
“Labour’s pathetic response fails the test of opposition – never mind government.  They are responsible for two-thirds of the cuts, and are desperate to dodge saying what they would do.    Their ridiculous notion of publishing a draft budget in September before we know what the budget is in October – a daft idea which parliament specifically rejected in a vote on 1 July – would  leave  no time to consult on any of this with anyone!
 
“Labour crashed the public finances – and they are left with absolutely nothing sensible to say on one of the biggest issues of our times.
 
“Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems have put Scotland’s public sector and our valued public services in real danger.   Labour in particular must lift their heads out of the sand, face up to the situation they created, and join a real discussion to minimise the impact on jobs and public services of Labour, Liberal and Tory cuts.
 
“When spending in Scotland is directly controlled by first Labour and now a Tory / Lib Dem Government in London they cannot escape responsibility for this situation.
 
“Labour’s long list of extra spending pledges – added to daily – must now be scrapped and they along with the other parties must set out where they stand on the review’s recommendations.
 
“The SNP has a long standing commitment to free personal care and concessionary travel as part of the debt we owe our older generations.
 
“Just as we opposed Tory plans to privatise Scotland’s water in the 1990’s we will not give way to Tory pressure to privatise Scotland’s water now – a damaging idea which the Review rejects.  The Scottish people have invested in Scottish Water and there is no good reason why the private sector should get billions of pounds in benefit from taxpayers investment.
 
“This report has very serious recommendations and puts the challenge Scotland faces into stark perspective.  It must be properly discussed and debated just as other parties must face up to the need for full financial responsibility in Scotland so investment in our public services is no longer left to the whims of Westminster politicians.”

BLAIR SHOULD BE RECALLED AFTER DANNATT EVIDENCE TO IRAQ INQUIRY

BLAIR SHOULD BE RECALLED AFTER DANNATT EVIDENCE TO IRAQ INQUIRY

Commenting on evidence from the former head of the Army to the Iraq
Inquiry today (Wednesday) SNP Westminster leader and Defence
spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said the testimony underlined the
impact the Iraq quagmire had on operations in Afghanistan.

Gen Sir Richard Dannatt told the inquiry that the Army had come close
to "seizing up" over Iraq and that the decision by Tony Blair to
increase British troops to Afghanistan at the same time as the force
in Iraq was facing a growing insurgency represented a "perfect storm"
for the Army.

Mr Robertson said:

“General Dannatt’s testimony underlines the real effect of the Iraq
quagmire on operations in Afghanistan. We are living with the
consequences of that decision even now, and Tony Blair must answer for
his decisions.

“The evidence is mounting against Tony Blair, and it would seem
incredible if the former prime minister was not now recalled to
explain his decisions.

“Tony Blair’s last appearance raised more questions than it answered
and I would hope, with considerations of the general election now
passed, that he will be totally straight with people on what was going
on in Downing Street -  this is a time for total candour on the worse
foreign policy decision in recent history.”

SCHOOL CLOSURE HYPOCRISY FROM LABOUR

 

 

SCHOOL CLOSURE HYPOCRISY FROM LABOUR

 

LABOUR PROPOSED AND VOTED FOR KILMARNOCK CLOSURE

 

The closure of Crossroads School in Kilmarnock, reported in today’s Herald was proposed and voted for by Labour in East Ayrshire.

 

The SNP MSP for the area Willie Coffey today condemned the utter hypocrisy of Labour’s education spokesman after it was revealed the closure motion was put forward by a Labour councillor and that Labour voted for the closure throughout the process.  Mr Coffey also said it was ridiculous to claim that this closure meant other rural schools would close and it exposed how Labour's Holyrood group would stoop to any level of dishonesty.

 

Mr Coffey pointed out that:

 

* The key vote on the closure of the Crossroads school was moved by the leader of the Labour group on East Ayrshire Council, Maureen McKay, at the council Cabinet meeting of 23 June and it was passed unanimously by the Council Cabinet – which includes Labour members. It was also unanimously backed by all parties, and local education and church representatives.

 

* Labour MSPs also voted in favour of the Schools (Consultation) Scotland Bill on 19 November 2009 which was passed unanimously by the Parliament.

 

* Between 1999 and 2007 Labour closed 64 rural schools.

 

* Labour’s manifesto did not offer a commitment to any additional protection for rural schools. Under the old legislation that Labour would have left in place, the school would not have been referred to Ministers for a decision and the closure would simply have gone ahead on the basis of the Council’s decision.

 

Mr Coffey, who represents Kilmarnock said:

 

“Des McNulty’s comments are misleading and utterly hypocritical.

 

“This is typical of the unsavoury depths Labour have sink to in opposition. No one can trust a word they utter. They voted for a closure so they can protest about it afterwards.  Labour have been misleading parents and children.

   

“No one likes closing schools and this was a very difficult decision.  But Labour MSPS should have the guts to admit that their councillors proposed the closure and that Labour voted for it’s closure. 

   

“The unanimous decision was backed by education and church representatives because of the circumstances of the school and the alternatives on offer.

   

“This decision has no bearing on any other school.  Each case is unique as each school, and the local circumstances will be unique.

   

"The SNP Government has put in place steps to support parents and children in rural areas in making the case to save their school.  Labour simply closed 64 rural schools without question.

 

"In this case the planning, the consultation and the proposals for future education for children from Crossroads in Kilmarnock ensured the best possible education."

RUSI REPORT SCUTTLES TRIDENT RENEWAL

RUSI REPORT SCUTTLES TRIDENT RENEWAL

The SNP has seized on a report by the Royal United Services Institute
(RUSI) which says the so-called continuous-at-sea-deterrence is no
longer necessary following the end of the Cold War, and that Trident
should be scaled back or abandoned altogether.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said:

“From being a deterrence during the Cold War, Trident has itself now
become one of the biggest defence risks we face with the cost of
replacement threatening the future of conventional forces and bases.

“As our brave forces serve in Afghanistan they should not wonder
whether their battalions and bases face cuts to pay for renewal of
this redundant weapons system. The prospect of liability for Trident
being absorbed into the core defence budget would either have a
devastating impact for spending on conventional forces, which are
already overstretched, or just lead to more damaging cuts.

“The Treasury say they do not want to pay for it, the Defence
Secretary warns that the country can no longer afford to be equipped
against every conceivable danger, and now this report confirms Trident
is no longer necessary. It should be game, set and match.

“The strategic review is about choices for the future and prioritising
our defence needs in a changed world. Conventional forces, which have
already been cut back, should not be forced to compete with Trident
for resources.

“Anyway that you look at it; on moral, economic or political grounds,
renewal of these weapons of mass destruction is untenable.”

TREASURY AND MOD AT ODDS OVER DEFENCE FOOTPRINT

TREASURY AND MOD AT ODDS OVER DEFENCE FOOTPRINT

CHIEF SECRETARY REVEALS RIFT ON COMMUNITY IMPACT OF CUTS

A public rift between the Treasury and Ministry of Defence has emerged
over the extent to which defence chiefs must take into account the
effect cuts under the strategic defence and security review will have
on local communities.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander, who is charged with
slashing public spending to reduce the deficit, has said the MoD must
take into account the effect of decisions on local economies, however,
his claim comes just a week after the Armed Forces Minister refused to
continue publishing a regional breakdown of defence statistics and
claimed that the MoD would not consider local economic factors, only
defence needs. See references in notes.

The Treasury and MoD are already at loggerheads over who will pay for
Trident renewal – with the Treasury insisting the bulk of the capital
expenditure for Trident should come from the MoD core budget – a move
that would have serious implications for defence spending in
conventional areas.

SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP
welcomed the Treasury intervention which vindicated his long-standing
calls for the continued compilation of regional defence statistics.

Mr Robertson said:

“This extraordinary public rift between the Treasury and MoD totally
vindicates the calls the SNP have been making for the continued
publication of regional defence spending statistics.

“The MoD says local considerations don’t count, but the Treasury say
local economic factors must be considered. If Danny Alexander is being
honest, then this is the best news we have had from the Treasury for
years.

“We can only continue to track the impact of government decisions in
Scotland and elsewhere if the MoD answer the questions. The stakes
could not be higher and the government must make a fair and balanced
defence footprint across the UK a priority.

“To date, Scotland has been massively short-changed on its fair share
of defence spending and all the indications are that the SDR could
have further catastrophic consequences for the defence footprint in
Scotland. The MoD’s own figures show that £5.6bn less has been spent
on defence in Scotland than has been contributed by taxpayers, and
10,000 defence jobs have been lost in Scotland since the last
strategic review.

“If the strategic review fails to address the mammoth cutbacks in
defence spending that we have seen over the last decade, then the
coalition government risks even more damaging decline for the defence
footprint in Scotland and causing irreparable damage to local
communities across the country.”

EDUCATION SECRETARY BACKS MSP's CALL TO LIFT TAX ON LEARNING

EDUCATION SECRETARY BACKS MSP's CALL TO LIFT TAX ON LEARNING

SNP MSP for Glasgow, Bob Doris, who has been supporting a campaign by the  British Universities Finance Directors’ Group to have VAT reduced on e-resources, has won the support of Mike Russell MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Life Long Learning.

Former teacher Mr Doris wrote to both the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and Mike Russell MSP, ahead of the recent UK budget asking them to support the request by universities across the UK to have VAT reduced on e resources. Currently electronic resources such as e-journals, e-books and online databases attract a VAT rating of 17.5% (soon to be 20%), whilst their paper copy counterparts such as books and magazines are VAT exempt.

Mr Doris was disappointed that the chancellor chose not to act for the benefit of the higher education sector and has still to receive a formal reply from the chancellor to his letter. However in a boost to the campaign Mike Russell MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Life Long Learning has added his support in a letter to Mr Doris saying 'I am disappointed that the issue you raised does not appear to have been addressed in the recent budget but I would urge you to continue to pursue your case'.

Commenting Mr Doris said:

"The support of Mike Russell MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Life Long Learning is a timely boost for the campaign and I will forward a copy of his reply to me to the  British Universities Finance Directors’ Group. There was disappointment when the chancellor missed a golden opportunity to reduce the VAT burden and create a level playing field between books and e-resources.

"I very much hope the UK Government will reconsider the matter with a view to reducing VAT to 5% on such materials. I know the UK is in a difficult financial situation but any reduction in this area could be self financing by boosting the amount of such publications sold and hence maintaining the overall tax yield. This could benefit our higher education sector without increasing the burden on the public purse.

"I continue to welcome the acknowledgement from past and present UK Governments of the importance of zero VAT books but  with the growing importance of e-resources for learning, particularly in Scotland’s Higher Education institutions, it is now time to look at reducing the VAT burden on electronic media".

SNP SEIZE ON TREASURY AND MOD TRIDENT DISPUTE

SNP SEIZE ON TREASURY AND MOD TRIDENT DISPUTE

WHY SHOULD SCOTS PAY FOR LONDON PARTIES' NUCLEAR OBSESSION?

Seizing on reports of a dispute between the Treasury and Ministry of
Defence over who will pay for Trident renewal, SNP Westminster leader
and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said the battle underlined
how renewal of the nuclear weapons scheme was unaffordable, and warned
over the threat to spending on conventional defence equipment.

It is understood the Treasury expects the bulk of the £100bn capital
expenditure for Trident to now come out of the Ministry of Defence's
(MoD) core budget – a move that would have serious implications for
defence spending in conventional areas.

Mr Robertson said:

“This is the kind of waste of money the SNP highlighted at the recent
election. Absorbing the cost of Trident into the core defence budget
would either have a devastating impact for spending on conventional
forces, which are already overstretched, or just lead to more damaging
cuts. The implications of this dispute could not be more serious and
totally change the context of the current strategic defence review.

“The strategic review is about choices for the future and prioritising
our defence needs in a changed world. Conventional forces, which have
already been cut back, should not be forced to compete with Trident
for resources.

“Anyway that you look at it; on moral, economic or political grounds,
renewal of these weapons of mass destruction is untenable.

“The SNP believe it should be scrapped and more so, at a time when
public spending faces savage cuts across the board, the time has come
to accept that Trident can no longer be treated as some sacred cow.
The majority of Scots oppose Trident along with the Scottish
Parliament and civil society. In these financially difficult times why
should Scots pay for the London parties' obsession with weapons of
mass destruction?”

OUTRAGEOUS WASTE IN NHS BY TORY/LIBDEM GOVT

OUTRAGEOUS WASTE IN NHS BY TORY/LIBDEM GOVT

SNP REJECTS & PROTECTS SCOTLAND'S NHS FROM IDEOLOGICAL AGENDA

Commenting on the revelation that the Tory/LibDem London government has set aside nearly £1.7bn this year for reorganisation plans - more than seven times what it aims to save on management - SNP MSP Dr Ian McKee – a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee – said it was an outrageous waste of money in these financially troubled times and was an ideological chimera which was flatly rejected by the SNP.

Commenting Dr McKee said:

“These figures are astronomical in these financially troubled times. When cut backs are being threatened across the board by the Tory/LibDem government because of Labour's economic mismanagement it is unbelievable that such money will be wasted on yet more postcode health care in England.

"This underlines why it is welcome that Scotland has an SNP Government protecting us from these ideological chimeras. A Scottish Government that is pursuing a better, more efficient healthcare policy for all the people of Scotland.

“The UK Government’s disruptive and ideologically-driven experimentation is the very last thing the Scottish NHS needs – it is now clear what the Tories and LibDems would do to the Scottish health service if they were given the chance.”

NICOLA STURGEON and PETER MURRELL WEDDING

NICOLA STURGEON & PETER MURRELL WEDDING

Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon and SNP Chief Executive, Peter Murrell will marry tomorrow (Friday).

Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell will marry at a ceremony attended by close family members. It will be followed by an evening reception attended by family, friends and Party colleagues.

UK GOVT REFERENDUM DATE BREAKS THE LAW

 

UK GOVT REFERENDUM DATE BREAKS THE LAW

 

Commenting on the report in the Scotsman today which reveals that the Interim Electoral Management Board has warned the Tory/LibDem government that it will have to change the law if they want to hold an AV referendum on the same day as the Scottish Parliament elections SNP MSP Dr Alasdair Allan said:

 

“The London Tory/LibDem government bounced this referendum on Scotland without a word of consultation, and no thought as to the consequences.  

 

“This revelation shows that they failed to look into whether holding a referendum on the same day was within the rules. Therefore this effectively is breaching the law.

 

“They have to think again, because either holding the two votes on the same day would carry double the bureaucracy and costs – the opposite of what Michael Moore says.

 

“Nor should Westminster would force through a combined poll by unilaterally changing a piece of Scottish Parliament legislation, against the wishes of three-quarters of MSPs.

 

“This revelation shows that their position on the AV referendum date is not tenable, and cannot stand.”

MACNEIL CALLS ON PM FOR ISLAND FUEL RELIEF

MACNEIL CALLS ON PM FOR ISLAND FUEL RELIEF



SCHEME MUST BE IN PLACE BEFORE VAT HIKE



SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP, Angus MacNeil, today (Wednesday) called on the Prime Minister to introduce an Islands’ Rural Fuel Derogation before the January VAT hike comes into force. 



Commenting after Prime Minister’s Questions where he raised the issue, Mr MacNeil MP said:



“The Liberals and Tories inflicted a VAT hike which will hit those already struggling with sky high fuel prices especially hard.



“Road users in my constituency are paying more tax per litre than anywhere else in the UK. Only this week a constituent who works in Benbecula but who lives in South Uist told me that the price of fuel at around £1.35-£1.40 means that it is becoming too expensive for her to travel to work.



“The VAT hike inflicted by the Tories and the Lib Dems yesterday will make rural fuel even more expensive and action must be taken without delay.



“The Prime Minister has pledged his government to look at the issue and I am optimistic measures will be in place by January 2011 to make life a little easier for rural road users.”

NEW EMBARRASSMENT FOR SCOTS TORIES ON PRISON SENTENCING – CLARKE SPEECH

NEW EMBARRASSMENT FOR SCOTS TORIES ON PRISON SENTENCING – CLARKE SPEECH

SAFER SCOTLAND WILL COME BY DRIVING DOWN REOFFENDING RATES

Annabel Goldie and the Holyrood Tories have yet again been left high and dry by their London party bosses says SNP MSP Stewart Maxwell, after the Westminster Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said there was no link between rising levels of imprisonment and falling crime since the falling crime levels were reflected in most of the Western world without rising prison populations.

In his speech Mr Clarke said:

“There is and never has been, in my opinion, any direct correlation between spiralling growth in the prison population and a fall in crime”

Mr Clarke has already signalled that he wants courts in England to impose fewer jail sentences of less than 12 months – a move which has undermined the Holyrood Tories who voted against a presumption against sentences of less than 3 months in the Scottish Parliament!

Mr Clarke’s plans for south of the Border could include a big reduction in jail sentences of less than a year – a much greater move than the SNP Government’s proposals.

Ken Clarke’s move also leaves Labour in Scotland as the most right-wing and out of touch party on law and order issues.

Commenting Mr Maxwell – a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee – said:

“This is another embarrassment for Annabel Goldie and the Holyrood Tories, who have been left high and dry by Ken Clarke. With yet another statement from Mr Clarke that is at odds with the Holyrood Tories it has to be asked again if the UK Government even bothered to tell Annabel Goldie about Ken Clarke’s latest speech?

“Ken Clarke’s move also exposes Labour in Scotland as the most right-wing and out of touch party on law and order issues – Labour backbenchers were already deeply uncomfortable with Richard Baker’s inept, hard right approach to the justice brief.
 
“The Tories – and Labour – have spent the last three years supporting taxpayers money being wasted on free bed and board for people who should be paying back their debts to society through hard work.  Their position increases reoffending and doesn’t create a safer Scotland.

“Instead of indulging in ill-informed posturing, it is about time that the Holyrood Tories showed some leadership for once and provided some positive answers on what they would do about sentencing – as Ken Clarke has done for the Tories in England.

“To date we have heard nothing but cheap sound bites – which have just turned to ash in their mouths.”

PM WARNED OVER DESTRUCTION OF SCOTTISH DEFENCE CAPABILITIES

PM WARNED OVER DESTRUCTION OF SCOTTISH DEFENCE CAPABILITIES

Speaking at Prime Ministers Questions today (Wednesday) SNP
Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson, Angus Robertson MP,
warned over the “wholesale destruction of conventional defence
capability in Scotland” as the second phase of the Strategic Defence
and Security Review reported back.

Mr Robertson has already raised concerns over the shrinking defence
footprint in Scotland – highlighting the £5.6bn defence underspend in
Scotland and 10,000 job loses since the last strategic review.

Mr Robertson said:

“Scotland has already been massively short-changed on its share of
defence spending and all the indications are that the SDR could have
further catastrophic consequences for the defence footprint in
Scotland.

“The Prime Minister must recognise that further cuts threaten a
wholesale destruction of conventional defence capability in Scotland.

“If the strategic review fails to address the mammoth cutbacks in
defence spending that have seen over the last decade, then the
coalition government risks even more damaging decline for the defence
footprint in Scotland.

“The MoD’s own figures show that £5.6bn less has been spent on defence
in Scotland than has been contributed by taxpayers, and 10,000 defence
jobs have been lost in Scotland since the last strategic review.

“People in Scotland support our armed forces, and are proud of the
nation's military tradition, but those UK politicians responsible for
the decrease in jobs, the overstretch, and the under-equipping of our
brave servicemen must now address this decline.”

LABOUR WILL BE HAUNTED AT HOLYROOD OVER VAT VOTE

LABOUR WILL BE HAUNTED AT HOLYROOD OVER VAT VOTE

FRAUD MURPHY URGES LIBERALS TO VOTE NO, WHILE LABOUR ABSTAIN

The decision by Scottish Labour MPs to abstain in a Commons vote to
stop the rise in VAT will haunt the party in the run up to the
Holyrood elections next year the SNP has warned.

SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP branded Labour claims the
party would defend Scotland from Tory policies as a “fraud” by
pointing to a letter from Labour Scotland spokesperson, Jim Murphy, in
which he urged Scottish LibDem MPs to vote against the VAT increase,
before abstaining in a vote himself.

Just two Scottish Labour MPs – Michael Connarty and John Robertson –
voted in support of an SNP amendment to bring relief for households
and businesses from the coalition government’s VAT hike.

Commenting, Mr Hosie said:

“Yet again we have seen how Labour can’t be trusted to protect
Scotland from the Tories. Claims they would protect Scotland from
damaging Tory policies are a fraud by Labour.

“We know the Lib/Dems have sold out already, but for Labour MPs to sit
on their hands and do nothing to stop this VAT hike is unforgivable.
This failure will haunt the Labour Party in Scotland in the lead up to
the Holyrood elections.

“Jim Murphy talks the talk, but when it came to going through the
voting lobbies he didn’t walk the walk. Instead of letters to
Liberals, Jim Murphy should have been writing to his own Labour
colleagues telling them to vote against this VAT bombshell.

“Throughout the election campaign Labour candidates claimed that only
they could stop the Tories. Now, not only did they rush for the
comfort of opposition instead of building an anti-Tory alternative,
but these Labour MPs are standing back while the Tories and Liberals
impose savage cuts and painful tax hikes.

“Labour let the people of Scotland down. They promised to protect
Scotland from the Tories - instead they opened the door to a Tory
government in Scotland.”

SCOTLAND LEADS WORLD IN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FUNDING

SCOTLAND LEADS WORLD IN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FUNDING

RESEARCH FUNDING IN SCOTLAND’S UNIVERSITIES TOPS INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE TABLE

Education Committee member Kenneth Gibson today heralded the news that Scotland invests more money in universities than any other country in the OECD.

The GERD report, published today, highlights many reasons why Scotland’s universities should have reason to celebrate research success.  The report shows:

·       Scotland’s expenditure, as a share of GDP, on university research was higher than any OECD country. Investment in higher education research was 0.82 per cent of Scottish GDP in 2008, compared to 0.47 per cent for the UK, 0.42 per cent for the EU and 0.39 per cent for the OECD.

·       Expenditure in Scotland was £939 million in 2008, 13.8 per cent of the UK figure and an increase of £69 million since 2007. This represents a real terms increase of 5.3 per cent since 2007.

Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson said:

“This is fantastic news for, not just those involved in education, but the whole of Scotland. Investment in our universities has once again been shown to be truly world beating, underlining Scotland’s long held and sustained devotion to academia.

“The report shows that Scotland not only devotes a larger proportion of its economy to university research than the rest of the UK and Europe, but is the highest country in the OECD. This is a feat that is truly outstanding.

“Scotland’s been a world leader for centuries when it comes to education and despite Labour’s constant attempts to talk our universities down and hope for failure, they continue to hold their heads high in all the international standings.”