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| Brown makes strong Union defence | |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has used his speech to trades unionists in Inverness to mount a strong defence of the Union. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has used his speech to trades unionists in Inverness to mount a strong defence of the Union. |
| He said Scotland and England were "stronger together and weaker apart". | He said Scotland and England were "stronger together and weaker apart". |
| Mr Brown also told delegates at the STUC conference that being part of the UK brought major benefits, both to Scots workers and businesses. | Mr Brown also told delegates at the STUC conference that being part of the UK brought major benefits, both to Scots workers and businesses. |
| He said shipbuilding and financial services industries were among those which benefited most from the ties. | |
| Mr Brown also used his speech to defend Labour's record on helping low income families. | Mr Brown also used his speech to defend Labour's record on helping low income families. |
| He acknowledged the recent controversy surrounding the abolition of the 10p tax band, but insisted people affected were still better off under Labour. | He acknowledged the recent controversy surrounding the abolition of the 10p tax band, but insisted people affected were still better off under Labour. |
| 'Social justice' | |
| The prime minister told delegates that he would do everything in his power "to make sure that we protect and defend British workers and British working life". | |
| He added: "We will make sure that there is enough liquidity in the economy, so that we can continue to lend money for businesses and lend money for people to buy their own houses. | |
| "That's why the Bank of England has announced that there will be £50bn, at least, extra liquidity in the economy so that we can get markets working again in a way that we can ensure that jobs can be continued, and of course businesses can have the finance they need." | |
| Mr Brown went on to acknowledge the "debate" about 1p taxation. | |
| He said: "As a result of what we've done. three million families with children are since 1997, £80 a week better off. And as a result of what we've done, two million pensioners - because of the pension credit, the winter allowance, and everything else we've done including free TV licences - are £40 a week better off. | |
| "So, this is a partnership for social justice, and it is a partnership that will continue to be a partnership for social justice." | |
| More than 350 delegates from 37 trade unions are attending the Scottish Trades Union Congress' annual event, which is the first since the election of the SNP Government last May. | More than 350 delegates from 37 trade unions are attending the Scottish Trades Union Congress' annual event, which is the first since the election of the SNP Government last May. |
| The three-day conference is being held at the city's Eden Court Theatre. | The three-day conference is being held at the city's Eden Court Theatre. |
| First Minister Alex Salmond and Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander will address the conference on Tuesday. |