Commenting on the £50 billion rescue package for British banking, unveiled this morning by the Chancellor, Tavish Scott, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland said:

“This £50 billion package should be made available to HBOS to let it remain an independent bank, saving Scottish jobs, the Headquarters in Edinburgh and branches across the country.

“This is a massive package of money for banks. Market and banking circumstances have changed enormously since the proposed Lloyds/HBOS merger was announced.

“The Government are now in direct negotiations with banks so they could make this happen. Keeping HBOS as an independent bank while strengthening RBS through this package would be positive economic news for Scotland. I urge the Government to make this happen.”