SNP Conference will today (Friday 16th) focus on Scotland’s future with a series of debates on the economy and a key note speech from Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney.

The Conference will then hear how the SNP are building a stronger Scotland,  focussed on the priorities of the people of Scotland with an address from Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.

The economic debates will show that We’ve Got what it takes to drive Scotland forward, covering SNP Scottish Government action to recover from the recession, the future of financial services industry and the enormous economic potential that lies in building Scotland’s green energy future.

Speaking ahead of the day’s debates and the two keynote speeches from Finance Secretary John Swinney and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, SNP MSP and Minister for Parliament Bruce Crawford said:

“Over the last 18 months the Scottish Government has faced the challenges of Labour's recession, and shown that we’ve got what it takes to drive Scotland forward and to get Scotland working.

“While other parties argue about who will cut the most, and who will deal the harshest blow to our public services and economy, the SNP has faced up to difficult decisions as a result of London’s £500 million cuts to Scotland’s budget.  The SNP Government have published a draft budget which prioritises front-line services in health, education and justice, and supports recovery.

"That is demonstrated by our delivery of 1,000 additional police officers - as promised in our manifesto, and two years ahead of schedule.

"Scotland’s got what it takes to drive recovery.  It is only the SNP that puts investment in Scotland’s green industries as our priority – while Labour hold back £160 million of green energy investment from Scotland's Fossil Fuel Levy.  It is only the SNP that will fight Labour or Tory efforts to cut Scotland's budget while they continue to invest billions in unwanted nuclear  weapons.

“Throughout this recession the SNP has acted quickly to put Scottish recovery and protecting hard working Scots at the heart of all our decisions. Bringing forward capital to invest in housing construction, putting in place measures to protect homeowners, abolishing rates for thousands of small businesses to help them ride out the recession and bringing forward spending to invest through the recession to secure a strong Scottish economic recovery.

“We’ve got what it takes to drive Scotland forward and we will be the only voice at Westminster with Scotland’s recovery as our priority.”