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Nicola Sturgeon to attack Westminster spending cuts Nicola Sturgeon to attack Westminster spending cuts
(35 minutes later)
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to use a speech in Edinburgh to attack the "scale and speed" of spending cuts planned by the UK government.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to use a speech in Edinburgh to attack the "scale and speed" of spending cuts planned by the UK government.
Speaking ahead of the Queen's Speech, the SNP leader will also reiterate her party's support for Britain's continued membership of the European Union.Speaking ahead of the Queen's Speech, the SNP leader will also reiterate her party's support for Britain's continued membership of the European Union.
She will make the speech on a visit to Heart of Midlothian FC's Tynecastle Stadium.She will make the speech on a visit to Heart of Midlothian FC's Tynecastle Stadium.
She will be joined by the Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney.She will be joined by the Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney.
The pair will also unveil the Scottish Business Pledge which aims to promote "fairness, equality and sustainable economic growth".The pair will also unveil the Scottish Business Pledge which aims to promote "fairness, equality and sustainable economic growth".
'Slow recovery''Slow recovery'
An "alternative to austerity" was the centrepiece of the Scottish National Party's successful general election campaign.An "alternative to austerity" was the centrepiece of the Scottish National Party's successful general election campaign.
In her first major economic speech since the election, Nicola Sturgeon will argue that the prime minister cannot ignore the democratic will of the Scottish people.In her first major economic speech since the election, Nicola Sturgeon will argue that the prime minister cannot ignore the democratic will of the Scottish people.
She is expected to say: "The result of the general election provides an opportunity and a challenge for the Scottish Government. There is clearly an opportunity to ensure that Scotland's priorities are better understood.She is expected to say: "The result of the general election provides an opportunity and a challenge for the Scottish Government. There is clearly an opportunity to ensure that Scotland's priorities are better understood.
"But there is also a significant challenge in working with a majority Government at Westminster - many of whose policies we disagree with."But there is also a significant challenge in working with a majority Government at Westminster - many of whose policies we disagree with.
"We will continue to oppose spending reductions of the scale and speed that the UK government has suggested. These would slow economic recovery and make deficit reduction more difficult - something shown by the impact of the cuts imposed after 2010.""We will continue to oppose spending reductions of the scale and speed that the UK government has suggested. These would slow economic recovery and make deficit reduction more difficult - something shown by the impact of the cuts imposed after 2010."
Ms Sturgeon will argue that David Cameron must either change his approach or find ways to lessen the impact on Scotland.Ms Sturgeon will argue that David Cameron must either change his approach or find ways to lessen the impact on Scotland.
She will also say that business, employees and government need to work more closely together to build a prosperous and cohesive society.She will also say that business, employees and government need to work more closely together to build a prosperous and cohesive society.
And she will again insist that the UK should only withdraw from the EU if there is a majority in favour of exit in all four nations of the UK.And she will again insist that the UK should only withdraw from the EU if there is a majority in favour of exit in all four nations of the UK.
She will say: "We will propose a "double-lock", meaning that exit is only possible if all four nations of the UK agree to it - something which would prevent Scotland from being forced out of the EU against our will.She will say: "We will propose a "double-lock", meaning that exit is only possible if all four nations of the UK agree to it - something which would prevent Scotland from being forced out of the EU against our will.
"And during the run up to the referendum, the Scottish government will of course make a strong and positive case for staying in the EU.""And during the run up to the referendum, the Scottish government will of course make a strong and positive case for staying in the EU."
The first minister will also call on businesses to commit to paying the living wage and promoting fair practices as she launches of a new industry code.The first minister will also call on businesses to commit to paying the living wage and promoting fair practices as she launches of a new industry code.
Companies wanting to sign to the Scottish Business Pledge must agree to paying the Living Wage to all direct employees over 18. Companies wanting to sign up to the Scottish Business Pledge must agree to paying the Living Wage to all direct employees over 18.
They must also be delivering on at least two of the pledge's nine components, as well as committing to achieving the rest "over time".They must also be delivering on at least two of the pledge's nine components, as well as committing to achieving the rest "over time".
'Perfect match''Perfect match'
Hearts, who recently won promotion back to the Scottish Premiership, are one of the first companies to sign up to the pledge.Hearts, who recently won promotion back to the Scottish Premiership, are one of the first companies to sign up to the pledge.
The club's chief executive Ann Budge said: "By introducing the Living Wage across our business, by investing in youth education and staff education, by engaging fully with the community and by working closely with the Foundation of Hearts to introduce fan ownership, we are the perfect match for this initiative."The club's chief executive Ann Budge said: "By introducing the Living Wage across our business, by investing in youth education and staff education, by engaging fully with the community and by working closely with the Foundation of Hearts to introduce fan ownership, we are the perfect match for this initiative."
The number of people out of work in Scotland rose by 19,000 in the first quarter of the year, while the Bank of Scotland's Labour Monitor stood at 59.1 in April, down from 60.6 in March.The number of people out of work in Scotland rose by 19,000 in the first quarter of the year, while the Bank of Scotland's Labour Monitor stood at 59.1 in April, down from 60.6 in March.
This was the lowest reading in 22 months and below the index for the UK as a whole, but the report also showed an improving labour market picture for the fifty-fourth consecutive month.This was the lowest reading in 22 months and below the index for the UK as a whole, but the report also showed an improving labour market picture for the fifty-fourth consecutive month.
The Bank of Scotland has also said the economic slowdown seen in the first quarter of this year is gradually being reversed.The Bank of Scotland has also said the economic slowdown seen in the first quarter of this year is gradually being reversed.
And the youth unemployment rate is said to be at its lowest level in seven years.
'Uneven recovery''Uneven recovery'
Opposition politicians have accused the Scottish government of focussing on the constitution rather than better utilising the powers it already has to help grow the economy at a faster rate.Opposition politicians have accused the Scottish government of focussing on the constitution rather than better utilising the powers it already has to help grow the economy at a faster rate.
The Federation of Small Businesses has also previously said that the "lukewarm" employment figures "mask a story of uneven recovery" across the country.The Federation of Small Businesses has also previously said that the "lukewarm" employment figures "mask a story of uneven recovery" across the country.
Its policy convener, Andy Willox, said earlier this month: "While the future looks bright in some localities, others are not so fortunate.Its policy convener, Andy Willox, said earlier this month: "While the future looks bright in some localities, others are not so fortunate.
"We need new strategies to turn around these communities, and their local enterprises need to be at the centre of these plans.""We need new strategies to turn around these communities, and their local enterprises need to be at the centre of these plans."