Davidson urges First Minister to use powers he does have to tackle unemployment crisis

The STUC this week revealed that eight out of ten of the worst areas for rising long-term unemployment across the UK are in Scotland.

The number of people out of work is now proportionately higher north of the border than other parts of Britain.

Rather than simply dismiss the STUC report, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson urged the First Minister to stop criticising the powers he doesn't have and use the powers he has to tackle Scotland's growing unemployment crisis.

Ruth Davidson said:

"Week after week all we hear is the First Minister claiming the credit when things look good but shovelling the blame anywhere else when things are bad.

"One Ministerial job for one Scottish Nationalist is not thousands of jobs for the Scottish nation. The stark facts are that 26,000 people are facing their second Christmas out of work.

"This has all happened on the First Minister's watch – he needs to stop running away and take responsibility for his actions as he has the powers to make a difference.

"The First Minister could be properly funding our colleges instead of ripping £74million out of them.

"He could be cutting the tax burden on businesses not hitting the biggest employers with more. The First Minister could be renewing the town centre regeneration fund instead of scrapping it.

"He could be building the 6,000 socially rented homes he promised instead of cutting his own target by a quarter.

"It is high time the First Minister got his eye back on the ball and started doing the job he was elected to do, which is delivering jobs for Scotland."

Additional money given to the Scottish Government for 2011-12 since the Scottish Spending Review:

Council tax freeze (England) – Barnett additions - £67.5million

DEFRA transfer of responsibilities - £16.7million

Autumn Budget Statement Barnett additions - £50million

Growing places fund - £21milion

Olympic Barnett consequentials - £16 million

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16057546

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