TORY-LED GOVERNMENT “FORCED TO ADMIT THEIR ECONOMIC PLAN HAS FAILED”Local politicians said that the Tory-led UK Government has today (Tuesday) been “forced to admit that their economic plan has failed” as the Chancellor George Osborne used his Autumn Statement in the House of Commons today to announce that Government borrowing would have to be increased.

Following the Chancellors statement, Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown said:

“The Tory-led UK Government has been forced to admit that their economic plan has failed. They have had to finally own up to what families, pensioners and businesses across Dumfries and Galloway have known for months – the Tory’s plan is hurting, but it’s not working. The Tory’s told us the pain was necessary to pay down the deficit, but the Chancellor revealed he will actually have to borrow more to fill the gaping hole left in our economy by his reckless cuts.“The deep cuts and tax hikes mean our region is in the grip of an unemployment crisis, growth is flatlining and bankruptcies are at an all time high. David Cameron made a catastrophic mistake by scrapping the Future Jobs fund within days of becoming Prime Minister. It helped over 100 local people get the training and skills they need to get a job. The actions of this irresponsible Tory Government mean that youth unemployment is at levels not seen for nearly 20 years. The grim reality is that until the Tory’s admit they need to change course, the future is bleak. Dumfries and Galloway desperately needs a jobs and growth plan.  That is why Labour’s five point plan for jobs and growth is so important with a VAT cut now to cut costs and bills, and tax breaks for firms taking on new staff.”

Commenting on an announcement of additional money for capital projects, Dumfriesshire MSP Elaine Murray said:

“Any extra money for Scotland under the Barnett formula from capital projects should be sent on projects that create jobs right now and right here in Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway deserves our fair share. Local people are fed up of the SNP cutting here to spend money on roads and large infrastructure projects in the central belt and the north of Scotland. While everyone knows the Tory cuts are hurting local people, the SNP’s obsession with separation is causing uncertainty and costing Dumfries and Galloway jobs and investment. Rather than being focused on jobs and the economy, the SNP want to spend the next three years using taxpayers’ money to plot their own political campaign.”

ENDS