Dundee SNP

DOWNING STREET DOUBLE STANDARDS ON INVESTMENT

The Prime Minister has been accused of double standards today (Wednesday) after claiming at Prime Minister’s Questions that the country faced a “choice between a government prepared to invest in the future and a Tory Party which is going to cut.”

SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP rounded on the Prime Minister over his claim, point out that the Scottish Government faces a real terms cut to its Budget of £500m from 20010/11.

Mr Hosie said:

“We all know the Tories plan spending cuts, but it is a bit rich for Gordon Brown to pretend he is not doing the exact same already. Labour and the Tories are peas in a pod when it comes to cuts.

“Gordon Brown’s boomerang blunder exposes the double standards of the Prime Minister’s position.

“Now that Gordon Brown has admitted that cutting public spending is the wrong thing to do, he must acknowledge the reality of his party’s damaging cuts agenda.

“Labour are planning to raid Scotland’s health, education and housing budgets by forcing the first real terms cut in Scotland’s public expenditure since the Tories in the 1990s.

“In contrast, the Scottish Government is focussed on investing in recovery from recession – today launching a skills support package to provide real financial support to businesses and individuals through the recession.

“The Prime Minister’s bluster demonstrates exactly why Scotland needs to be responsible for all of our own resources, with an independent Scottish Parliament controlling all revenue and spending in Scotland.”

INVESTMENT SECURES JOBS AND BRIGHT FUTURE FOR CITY

SNP MSP Joe FitzPatrick today welcomed the announcement by Cabinet Secretary John Swinney of £33 million for investment in the Dundee Waterfront.

The funding means the development of Dundee Central Waterfront as a new business district for the city can now go ahead. The project is expected to bring around 1000 jobs to Dundee and bring in £270 million of private sector investment.

Joining John Swinney for the announcement in Dundee Joe FitzPatrick MSP for Dundee West said;

“This is excellent news for Dundee and will help secure jobs and investment -not only for the city but for the wider region.

“This is the final piece in the jigsaw for the central waterfront and I am pleased to see Dundee receiving this vital investment.

“With exciting plans to bring the V & A to Dundee’s waterfront and proposals coming up for Dundee Port this development now has national importance.

“Today’s announcement is another sign of the SNP Government delivering for Dundee and will help see Dundee and Scotland though difficult economic times with investment in key projects that will support 5000 jobs across Scotland.”

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick has today welcomed the Scottish Government bringing forward £700,000 of housing investment for Dundee.

The money will be used by Hillcrest Housing Association and will allow the purchase of 8 properties at Merchants Quay.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “I’m glad that this investment is being brought forward to support the local construction industry.

“It will help to ease the challenges facing Scotland’s house building industry and increase the supply of affordable housing.”

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today that £17 million pounds will be invested to speed up the delivery of affordable housing across the country.

The money is part of the £120 million pound acceleration in the three-year affordable housing budget being brought forward over this year and next.

This latest phase of accelerated funding will allow housing associations to purchase unsold stock from the private sector as well as land on which future affordable housing can be built. It will also help to get planned projects on site earlier than anticipated.

Announcing the funding today in Cumbernauld, Ms Sturgeon, said:

“The Scottish Government is aware of the serious challenges facing Scotland’s house building industry.

“We are determined to help the country’s businesses and households deal with the impact of the economic downturn and to provide much needed affordable housing as quickly as possible.

“That is why we have acted swiftly and decisively, within our powers, to help alleviate the pressure of the credit crunch on developers, and speed up the delivery of affordable housing.

“This latest phase of funding will help to kick-start construction work across Scotland helping our hard pressed construction workers weather the economic storm.”

LIB DEMS – “JOKERS IN THE PARLIAMENTARY PACK”

SNP MSP and Finance Committee member Joe FitzPatrick today backed the Scottish Government’s budget as MSPs voted by 107 to 16 to accept the budget during the first of two parliamentary debates.

Speaking after the stage 1 vote Mr FitzPatrick said;

“Whilst the budget still has a further hurdle to clear this is a welcome sign that the Scottish Parliament can come together in the face of economic difficulties to support a budget for Scotland.

“It is unfortunate that at a time when we all parties are pulling together the Liberal Democrats insist on sticking to their ridiculous and uncosted plans to slash public spending at precisely the wrong time.

“The LibDems are out of step and out of time.

“Their tax and cuts policy is not only a bad idea it is an impractical one, that could not be implemented for at least 12 months.

“Last year Iain Gray was the joker in the pack. This year that honour goes to Jeremy Purvis. He is the Budget Bill Joker in the Parliamentary pack.

“This budget will bring forward investment in infrastructure, will cut the rates for small businesses at the time they need it most and will support a continuing freeze in the council tax rates.

“Today’s vote is a welcome step and I hope parties will continue to work together to help Scotland’s economy during this difficult time.”