economy

SNP Westminster Treasury spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, has urged the UK Government to show the same swiftness in addressing the need for economic stimulus as many countries around the world are already showing.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney today told Parliament that Scotland could come through the current economic situation "stronger" and "better" as he put forward the SNP Government's position on Scotland's economy.

As figures showing that unemployment in the UK in the three months to September 2008 had jumped by 140,000 to 1.82 million - the highest in 11 years, and that the so-called claimant count - those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance - has now increased for nine months in a row and is 154,800 higher than a year ago, the SNP have called on the UK Government to take urgent and widespread action.

SNP Treasury Spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, has called for urgent action to ensure that the impact of the imminent recession on Scotland is limited.

Commenting on Labour's Defence Secretary John Hutton today (Thursday) restating the Labour Government's commitment to keeping nuclear weapons in Scotland SNP Westminster Leader and Shadow Defence Minister Angus Robertson said Mr Hutton had shown himself to be out of touch with Scotland particularly at a time when the money wasted on Trident could be spent to boost the Scottish economy.

SNP Treasury Spokesman Stewart Hosie MP, has expressed doubt over the Chancellor Alistair Darling's ability to lead the economy out of the current crisis.

SNP MSP Alex Neil, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee, has highlighted two reports which highlight how the Scottish economy is growing compared to the overall UK position which is described as "the only" leading industrial country facing recession.

Figures produced by the Scottish Government show annual household expenditure on gas and electricity in Scotland has increased by 24% over the last four years whilst average household income in Scotland has only risen by 9%.

Alex Salmond has said that Gordon Brown should come out of his bunker and introduce a major recovery package to counter recessionary pressures in the economy.

Scotland would be in budget surplus to the tune of more than £800 million with a share of North Sea revenues, official figures today showed.