Jo Swinson MP, Deputy Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has warned that Scotland is in danger of stagnating if the SNP Government continue its blinkered attitude to economic recovery.

Jo Swinson MPThe rise in unemployment by 0.3% between June and August, bringing the total to 7.9%, is the most recent evidence that the SNP Government’s so-called Plan MacB isn’t working.

Figures released earlier this week suggested that Scottish economic growth is slowing, yet the SNP continue to insist that Plan MacB is the best way forward. This is despite a report from CPPR which rubbished the claims on five distinct grounds.

Ms Swinson is urging to John Swinney to stop throwing rocks at the UK Government and instead build relations so Scotland’s economic recovery can get back on track.

Commenting, Ms Swinson MP said:

“When the going is good, SNP Ministers point to Plan MacB as the driving force of recovery. But when figures show a decline, it is because the UK Government has not implemented it. The SNP cannot have it both ways.

“The CPPR report pointed to five flaws in the Scottish Government’s plans but despite this Ministers seem intent to carry on regardless.

“This kind of amateur economics has to stop.

“Today’s unemployment figures are further evidence that the SNP Government is on the wrong track and must change course.

“SNP Ministers should lay aside political pride and accept that their claims about Plan MacB were based on one month’s figures. This month’s figures are much worse. They should work with the UK Government to put Scotland’s economy back on stable ground.”