GDP figures released today show that the Scottish economy grew by just 0.1%, compared by 0.2% in the last quarter.

Over the year, the Scottish economy grew by 1.1% compared with 1.5% growth across the rest of the UK.

Jo Swinson MPThese latest figures cast more doubt on the Scottish Government's approach to the economy, the so-called Plan MacB, and Deputy Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson has called on the SNP to think again.

Commenting, Ms Swinson said:

“We welcome the news that the Scottish economy is growing especially when we look to some of our European neighbours. But the figures compared to the rest of the UK cast real doubts over the claims by SNP Ministers to have created a successful ‘Plan MacB’.

“Most of Ministers’ assertions about their plan were based on September’s unemployment figures. Since then unemployment has risen and economic figures fail to show any special Scottish boost. Indeed, construction has dropped markedly behind the rest of the UK.

“It is time for Scottish Ministers to drop their hype which runs the risk of creating complacency. For example, the SNP used the bad winter weather to explain poor construction figures for Q1. We should have expected a bounce back in Q2 which hasn’t happened.

“Scottish Ministers should revisit their decision to take £250m away from the transport infrastructure budget to spend elsewhere. They should drop their refusal to use money that they have locked in Scottish Water to benefit the construction industry, not least new affordable housing.”