Sturgeon opposes UK spending cuts

SPEAKING from Edinburgh ahead of the Queen’s speech, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon attacked the ‘scale and speed’ of spending cuts planned by the UK government. In her first major economic speech since the election, Ms Sturgeon argued that David Cameron could not ignore the democratic will of the Scottish people.
She said: “The result of the general election provides an opportunity and a challenge for the Scottish government. There is clearly an opportunity to ensure that Scotland’s priorities are better understood.
“But there is also a significant challenge in working with a majority government at Westminster – many of whose policies we disagree with.
“We will continue to oppose spending reductions of the scale and speed that the UK government has suggested. These would slow economic recovery and make deficit reduction more difficult – something shown by the impact of the cuts imposed after 2010.”
In an impassioned speech, made while on a visit to Heart of Midlothian FC’s Tynecastle stadium, the SNP leader once again emphasised her party’s support for Britain’s membership of the European Union.
She was joined by the Scottish finance secretary, John Swinney, and the pair also unveiled the Scottish Business Pledge, which aims to promote “fairness, equality and sustainable economic growth.”