Welcoming delegates to the 74th SNP Conference in Perth today SNP Leader and First Minister of Scotland said it was time for Downing Street to hear the message from Scotland's High Streets.

Mr Salmond said:

"The SNP and Scottish Government supported the measures to stabilise the financial sector.  What we need now – and what this conference is focused on – is real action to help real families and the real economy.

"People want their fuel bills stabilised, the wider economy stabilised to address unemployment and the threat to jobs and investment in Scotland.

"That is the message from the High Streets of Scotland to Downing Street in London.

"The Scottish Government, in the measures we have already announced and our six-point plan, are doing everything in our powers to help business and families.  We are governing Scotland successfully during tough times.

"It's time for the Treasury to release £1 billion of Scotland's money – including our Fossil Fuel Levy and our own underspend – to support jobs and investment in Scotland.

"And it's time for a major programme of reflation from the UK Government to boost demand and confidence in the real economy, and give help to hard pressed households – starting with a further deep cut in interest rates.

"Delegates, the communities of Glenrothes can speak for Scotland in three weeks time.  Gordon Brown and his 'age of irresponsibility' have taken us to the brink of recession.

"SNP government policies and SNP success in Glenrothes will force the economic measures Scotland needs to get us out of the Downing Street downturn."