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SNP Leader Alex Salmond MP has launched a blueprint for
Scottish economic success. ( download the blueprint, click here)
"Let Scotland Flourish" sets key targets for the
Scottish economy and outlines a series of policy changes to let
Scotland escape from the vicious cycle of low growth and
population decline as part of Britain to a virtuous circle of
high competitiveness, economic growth and population increase.
The SNP propose three specific targets for Scotland:
* be
among the 15 most competitive countries in the world, rather than
one of the least competitive
* at
4%, match the growth rate of small European nations rather than
trail in their wake
* grow
the population by 3% over the next 10 years instead of facing
continued population decline
The specific actions we would take to meet these targets are:
1) Lower corporation tax
to 20% (currently 30%) to attract corporate HQ activity to Scotland
and to make indigenous businesses more competitive
2) Lower business rates
to below the English level (currently significantly higher
than in England)
3) Reduce business
burdens which have a severe impact on small businesses in particular
4) Refocus the business
support network of Scottish Enterprise
5) Invest in Scotland's
infrastructure (road, rail, air and telecommunications) through the
Scottish Trust for Public Investment
6) Invest oil in fund for
future generations & extend expertise into renewables
sector
7) Institute a proactive
immigration policy that welcomes 'new Scots' and encourages people
to move back to Scotland
Launching "Let Scotland Flourish", Mr Salmond
said:
"The SNP is determined to see Scotland flourish and our
blueprint for success is the only economic policy designed in
Scotland and for Scotland.
"Over these past ten years Scotland's economy has fallen
behind other similar countries. The impact is felt in the number of
Scots who have left, or will soon leave, to find jobs and economic
opportunity elsewhere.
"On the Government's own numbers Scotland will lose half
a million people over the next forty years. Losing an average of
14,000 people annually is equivalent to losing a town the size of
Carnoustie, Alloa or Galashiels every year.
"These are the people who tell the most powerful story
about Scotland and our economy. Each one represents a lost
opportunity for Scotland and they are the reason we must do better.
"The SNP will stop London and Labour draining Scotland of
our people and resources.
"We will set new targets for economic growth and
competitiveness and introduce policies to give Scotland an edge -
lower taxes and fewer burdens on business; Scottish control over
Scotland's oil and an enterprise policy that markets Scotland to the
world.
"Corporation tax at 20% would be pitched substantially
below UK levels, giving us a crucial advantage. Ireland does it to
Britain, Portugal to Spain and Denmark to Germany because it works.
"We will equip Scotland with a competitive tax policy so
we can attract business headquarters to Scotland and stem the
outflow of talent.
"With at least a trillion dollars worth of oil left in
the Scottish sector of the North Sea there is plenty to fuel future
economic success but only if Scotland's parliament and not the
London Exchequer is in control.
"If Scotland matches the success of similar European
nations, instead of slipping behind as a neglected corner of the UK,
it will mean 200,000 more jobs, £8bn more to spend on public
services and a boost to the economy worth £4000 per person. This is
the independence bonus and is what we can start to achieve with SNP
victories in May."
The then SNP shadow Enterprise and Economy spokesman in the Scottish
Parliament, Jim Mather MSP, who is now a Minister in the new
SNP Scottish Government said:
“This a culmination of a great deal of work that has been
done by the SNP from Alex’s book on the ‘Economics of
Independence’ to us taking that message round the boardrooms and
committee rooms and passing successive pro-enterprise conference
resolutions.
“We now have an inspirational document that will tackle all
of the key issues such as growth and population decline by giving
Scotland the power to compete.”
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