Salmond pledges �95m for recovery

First Minister Alex Salmond has outlined £95m of European funding to help Scotland out of recession.

He said £25m would offer new skills opportunities to 75,000 Scots and £70m would go to stimulating business growth and urban and rural regeneration.

Speaking at the SNP conference, Mr Salmond also challenged Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy to meet with the Scottish Government cabinet.

The SNP leader said it was time for the country to pull together.

Mr Salmond told delegates in Glasgow that he wanted to open cabinet up to hear from organisations including councils, unions and businesses to chart a way out of the economic downturn - while also inviting Mr Murphy to "explain UK Government policy".

The SNP is, and always will be, the pro-Scotland party Alex Salmond

He said the downturn would end with public investment in education, skills and industry.

"Delegates - we've got what it takes," said Mr Salmond.

"With investment in education, in jobs and in the industries of today and tomorrow.

"That is the core of our plan - a plan that is in place, a plan that is protecting our nation from the worst impact of the recession - and it is a plan that will place us in the best position for recovery."

Mr Salmond singled out industries such as renewable energy and life sciences for their potential to boost the Scottish economy in tough times.

He also moved away from making direct attacks on his immediate political opponents, saying he was not in the "anti-Labour Party".

Savings drive

"The heart of our politics is positive, not negative," he said, adding: "We stand for optimism not pessimism, the future not the past.

"The SNP is, and always will be, the pro-Scotland party."

But Mr Salmond went on to warn the UK Government against implementing its efficiency savings drive - which he said would cut £1bn from the Scottish Budget.

"If the prime minister and and the chancellor were to pursue such a policy, then the people of Scotland will have their say within weeks at the European elections and in months at the General Election," he said.

"They will not easily forgive any politician or any party that stands in the way of Scotland's recovery."

'Independent future'

As Mr Salmond urged members of the party faithful to fight hard in the forthcoming Euro elections, he set a target for the SNP to win control of Labour-run Glasgow City Council in the wake of a recent, similar victory in Dundee.

The SNP leader also paid tribute to the lives of former Nationalist MEP Sir Neil MacCormick and MSP Bashir Ahmad.

Scotland's future, Mr Salmond went on to say, was as a prospering nation, adding: "We've got what it takes to recover strongly - to grow and to prosper.

"And we've got what it takes to become a full and flourishing independent nation.

"Our job - in the SNP and the Scottish Government - is to work hard through these difficult days and then, with the people of Scotland, we will move to a different time - a brighter, stronger and independent future."

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