Autumn Statement adds 拢433m to Scottish budget
The Secretary of State said the new money was a "real help for Scotland at a time when parts of Europe are facing real crisis"
The Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said today鈥檚 Autumn Statement provides 鈥渞eal help for Scotland at a time when parts of Europe are facing real crisis鈥�.
Moore said that by sticking to the deficit reduction plan, the UK was avoiding the problems of some Eurozone countries and able to invest hundreds of millions of pounds extra in Scotland.
The Autumn Statement set out measures that will help pensioners, young unemployed and motorists in Scotland. On top of this, the Chancellor鈥檚 statement means that Scotland will receive an additional 拢433m in Barnett consequentials for capital projects which are vital for economic growth.
This new money is in addition to the recent announcement of 拢100m for the Scottish Government to invest in renewable energy in Scotland and a further 拢200m in extra Barnett聽 consequentials that have already been announced since last year鈥檚 Spending Review.
鈥淚n tough economic times the UK is keeping the confidence of the markets, keeping mortgage rates down and finding ways to invest more in Scotland,鈥� said Michael Moore.
Measures announced by the Chancellor today that will help Scotland:
*聽The Youth Contract, which will see Government fund incentives for companies taking on young people, extra support from JobCentre Plus for unemployed 18-24 year olds and an offer of work experience or a sector based work academy place for every unemployed 18-24 year old who wants one.
*聽The 3p fuel duty increase planned for January 2012 will be deferred.
*聽The basic state pension increase will benefit 1 million Scottish pensioners.
*聽The Government will make 拢50m available to enable the replacement of the cross-border Caledonian Sleeper fleet to improve on-train facilities. This exceptional funding is subject to the Scottish Government agreeing to co-fund the replacement programme.
*聽Small and medium size Scottish companies will potentially also benefit from the credit easing measures announced today.
*聽Investment in telecoms, including broadband, will improve coverage in the more rural parts of the UK. Edinburgh will also become one of 10 UK super-connected cities.
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said:
鈥淭his Autumn statement comes at a difficult economic time. By sticking to our deficit reduction plan the UK has avoided the problems facing some Eurozone countries.
鈥淭he measures announced by the UK Government today provide real help for Scotland at a time when parts of Europe are facing real crisis.聽 In tough economic times the UK is keeping the confidence of the markets, keeping mortgage rates down and finding ways to invest more in Scotland. This clearly demonstrates the benefits to Scotland of being part of the UK.
鈥淭he job of growing our economy falls to Scotland鈥檚 two governments. The UK has announced wide ranging measures to help Scottish companies access credit, to delay increases in fuel duty and to help the young unemployed in Scotland. We are also investing in broadband and increasing the state pension. This is just some of what we are doing to help Scotland.
鈥淲e have also provided an extra 拢433m to the Scottish Government so that they can invest in capital projects in Scotland. This is new money that Holyrood was not accounting for so I am sure it will be welcomed. If it is used wisely then it can make a significant impact in growing Scotland鈥檚 economy in the years to come.鈥�