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SNP SET OUT PROPOSALS TO LET SCOTLAND FLOURISH
LAUNCH OF NEW ECONOMIC PLAN FOR SCOTLAND
SNP Treasury Spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP and Shadow Minister for
Enterprise, Jim Mather MSP, have today (Sunday) launched Let Scotland
Flourish 2007, the SNP's proposals to increase wealth,
competitiveness and
economic growth in Scotland.
The paper sets new golden rules for the Scottish economy to
deliver 'total
growth', with a 4% annual GDP growth target combined with a
commitment to
a reduction in annual C02 emissions of 2%. The total growth
strategy also
includes targets for increases in wealth for those on lowest
income and a
narrowing of the gap between Scotland's richest and poorest regions.
Key proposals include:
-a new focus on lower business rates for small and medium sized
companies
-a 'one in one out' policy to reduce red tape and business burdens - a
commitment to reduce corporation tax to 20% from the current 30%
-plans to improve Scotland's infrastructure and replace
expensive PFI/PPP
with bond issue through a Scottish Futures Trust
-new measures to encourage innovation including a Venture
Capital Clearing
House to provide an injection of public and private finance for business
start-ups
- reform of the Enterprise network to focus resources more on
delivery of
key functions and less on bureaucracy
-the creation of a network of Scotland Houses to increase
Scottish exports
The document also sets out key commitments for the first 100 days of an
SNP government in Scotland, including the launch of a £5 million Saltire
prize to reward invention and the creation of a Council of Economic
Advisers to provide independent advice on how to make Scotland the best
place to do business in Europe.
As a result of the proposals in Let Scotland Flourish, Scotland
could see
over 10 years:
- a £19 billion increase in GDP
- an extra 200,000 jobs
- a 150,000 increase in Scotland's population
- average wages increasing by £1500
- £8 billion in extra government revenues
Commenting Stewart Hosie MP said:
"Let Scotland Flourish 2007 is the most detailed economic policy for
Scotland ever produced. It is a plan that puts Scotland and Scottish
families first.
"Unlike the other parties, it focuses on the needs of Scotland and the
opportunities for greater wealth for our nation.
"Our aim is to give Scotland an economic edge, by reducing the taxes and
burdens on wealth creators, and making Scotland the most competitive of
the current UK nations.
"The benefit will be felt by families the length and breadth of
Scotland,
with our proposals designed to narrow the wealth gap between the richest
and poorest so that the benefit of economic growth is felt by all.
"These sensible, pro-Scottish policies can move Scotland back
to where we
should be, with sustainable growth matching the best in Europe, higher
wages and more jobs."
Jim Mather MSP added:
"Scotland is a nation of great natural wealth. We have a talented and
creative population and a resource base that makes us the envy of many
other nations. The key is to turn these advantages into economic success
for Scotland.
"The reality is that only the SNP agenda can deliver the growth and
prosperity Scotland needs. We have seen the best efforts of
London Labour
in budget after budget, and on no occasion has the Labour Party
delivered
a single policy to give Scotland the competitive advantage it needs.
"We propose some simple and clear reforms, to deliver lower cost capital
finance through a Scottish Futures Trust - delivering the infrastructure
improvements Scotland desperately needs without the high cost
of Labour's
PFI/PPP.
"With the Scottish Futures Trust, we could save as much as £450
million on
the cost of a new Forth Bridge - enough to then pay for the dualling of
the A9.
"We also propose a significant shake up at Scottish Enterprise, to
streamline the bureaucracy, ensure more of the money we invest goes to
Scottish businesses and guarantee a greater focus on central elements of
the economy - tourism, growing exports and bringing high quality inward
investment to Scotland.
"Taken together, Let Scotland Flourish can transform Scotland
and put our
economy back on track for long-term success. It is a policy for a
wealthier Scotland."
Note to editors:
Copies of Let Scotland Flourish are available from the SNP
Press Office.
Author : SNP Press Office
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