Sturgeon Slams Cuts Scale And Pace

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has attacked the scale and speed'' of spending cuts planned by the UK Government in her first major speech on the economy since the general election.

She was speaking to business leaders in Edinburgh, where she encouraged companies to sign up to the Scottish Business Pledge, described as a voluntary code for employers to recognise fair and progressive'' policies while boosting productivity.

She said: We will continue to oppose spending reductions of the scale and speed that the UK Government has suggested.

We believe these will slow economic recovery and make deficit reduction more difficult and that's something that has been demonstrated already by the impact of the cuts that have been imposed since 2010.

If the UK Government does decide to stick to its current proposals we will argue for ways in which the impact on Scotland can be lessened.''

In the speech Ms Sturgeon also underlined her support for Britain's continued membership of the European Union.

She said: I don't think it is desirable to hold an in/out referendum on membership of the European Union.

But since a referendum is now inevitable we will work to protect Scotland's interests in that referendum.

We will propose a double majority, meaning that exit from the European Union would only be possible if all four nations of the UK agree to that, something that would ensure Scotland couldn't be forced out of the European Union 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 European Union.

We don't think it is perfect. We think reform is both desirable and necessary but we believe very strongly that Scotland's interests are best served by being members of the European Union.''