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Cabinet gathers for Scots meeting Cabinet gathers for Scots meeting
(about 14 hours later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his ministers have gathered in Glasgow for the cabinet's first meeting in Scotland for almost 90 years.Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his ministers have gathered in Glasgow for the cabinet's first meeting in Scotland for almost 90 years.
The agenda will be dominated by the state of the UK economy.The agenda will be dominated by the state of the UK economy.
Ministers are set for other meetings related to their different portfolios across Scotland throughout the day. Ministers also held meetings related to their different portfolios across Scotland.
Mr Brown attended a memorial service in Aberdeen on Wednesday for the 16 men who died in the Super Puma helicopter crash in the North Sea.Mr Brown attended a memorial service in Aberdeen on Wednesday for the 16 men who died in the Super Puma helicopter crash in the North Sea.
The Glasgow meeting will be the latest in a series across the UK, designed to show the cabinet engaging with people. The Glasgow meeting was the latest in a series across the UK, designed to show the cabinet engaging with people.
Mr Brown and his ministers will spend the morning at a series of events across Scotland before facing questions from an invited audience. Mr Brown and his ministers spent the morning at a series of events across Scotland, before facing questions from an invited audience.
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Footage of the last time the cabinet met in ScotlandFootage of the last time the cabinet met in Scotland
In the afternoon, the cabinet meeting will be briefed by the Scottish Secretary, Jim Murphy, on Scotland's economy.In the afternoon, the cabinet meeting will be briefed by the Scottish Secretary, Jim Murphy, on Scotland's economy.
He will urge his colleagues to do more to stress the "substantial role" of the UK Government in Scotland.He will urge his colleagues to do more to stress the "substantial role" of the UK Government in Scotland.
Mr Murphy will tell the meeting: "The last twelve years have been some of the best in Scotland's history. Sustained growth has cut unemployment below the UK average for the first time for decades, and employment levels in Scotland are the third highest in the European Union. Mr Murphy will tell the meeting: "The last 12 years have been some of the best in Scotland's history. Sustained growth has cut unemployment below the UK average for the first time for decades, and employment levels in Scotland are the third highest in the European Union.
"Despite the global downturn, we should be confident about the future."Despite the global downturn, we should be confident about the future.
"Scotland has a strong economic base for growth in the key industries of financial services, high-skill engineering, energy - from clean coal to tidal, tourism and quality food and drink.""Scotland has a strong economic base for growth in the key industries of financial services, high-skill engineering, energy - from clean coal to tidal, tourism and quality food and drink."
The prime minister met Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and other Holyrood leaders over dinner on Wednesday evening.The prime minister met Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and other Holyrood leaders over dinner on Wednesday evening.
Mr Salmond had previously called for the cabinet meeting to be held jointly by Scottish and UK ministers, but this suggestion was dismissed by the Scotland Office.Mr Salmond had previously called for the cabinet meeting to be held jointly by Scottish and UK ministers, but this suggestion was dismissed by the Scotland Office.
'Overcome recession''Overcome recession'
Speaking ahead of the cabinet meeting, a spokesman for Mr Salmond said: "The Scottish and UK Governments have shown that we can work well together to help families and business during tough economic times.Speaking ahead of the cabinet meeting, a spokesman for Mr Salmond said: "The Scottish and UK Governments have shown that we can work well together to help families and business during tough economic times.
"We demonstrated that in the way we co-operated to accelerate capital spending, and the Scottish Government's six-point plan is supporting some 5,800 jobs in Scotland."We demonstrated that in the way we co-operated to accelerate capital spending, and the Scottish Government's six-point plan is supporting some 5,800 jobs in Scotland.
"When the UK cabinet meets in Scotland, it needs to take decisions in the interests of Scotland."When the UK cabinet meets in Scotland, it needs to take decisions in the interests of Scotland.
"In terms of Scotland making our contribution to recovery, that means reversing the planned £500m cut in our budget - which would destroy 8,700 jobs across the economy - and Holyrood having the borrowing powers we need to reflate the economy and overcome recession.""In terms of Scotland making our contribution to recovery, that means reversing the planned £500m cut in our budget - which would destroy 8,700 jobs across the economy - and Holyrood having the borrowing powers we need to reflate the economy and overcome recession."
The cabinet last met in Scotland in 1921 - when Winston Churchill was the Colonial Secretary and a Liberal MP for Dundee.The cabinet last met in Scotland in 1921 - when Winston Churchill was the Colonial Secretary and a Liberal MP for Dundee.
The meeting was held in the council chamber at Inverness Town House because Prime Minister Lloyd George was on holiday in the Highlands.The meeting was held in the council chamber at Inverness Town House because Prime Minister Lloyd George was on holiday in the Highlands.
On the agenda was the Irish emergency, unemployment and Armenian refugees.On the agenda was the Irish emergency, unemployment and Armenian refugees.