Robertson questions imbalance in MoD spending

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Tuesday, 21 February 2012 05:49

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By a Newsnet reporter

The SNP’s Defence spokesman at Westminster yesterday demanded and explanation from Defence Secretary Philip Hammond over the £1billion imbalance between the contribution made by Scottish taxpayers and the level of defence spending in Scotland.

BMI takeover prompts formal complaint to European Commission

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Saturday, 18 February 2012 00:08

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By a Newsnet reporter

A planned takeover of BMI by International Airlines Group has led to a complaint to the European Commission amid claims that it could hit air links between Scotland and Heathrow.

Both Richard Branson’s company Virgin Atlantic and Colin Keir MSP have made a formal complaint to the European Commission and the UK Office of Fair Trading in a bid to have the deal blocked on grounds of competition and consumer services.

Labour urged to drop negativity over new Forth crossing

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Tuesday, 14 February 2012 05:52

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By a Newsnet reporter

The SNP say Labour is letting Scottish companies down by ignoring the benefits to them of the Forth Replacement Crossing – especially after a further 88 subcontracts were advertised.

Colin Keir, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Western, has urged Labour to drop its negativity and encourage Scottish companies to apply for contracts for the project.

Defence analyst says Clyde shipyards would be safe after independence

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Tuesday, 14 February 2012 04:48

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By a Newsnet reporter

The SNP has welcomed the assessment of a senior independent defence analyst that BAE’s Clyde shipyards are well placed to continue their highly skilled work post-independence.

Howard Wheedon, senior strategist with City firm BGC Partners, told the Daily Record newspaper that the Clyde yards would continue to operate after Scottish independence.

Scottish budget: Extra funds for colleges and housing

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Thursday, 09 February 2012 07:56

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By a Newsnet reporter

Transport, housing, health and digital projects will receive new investment to help boost the economy, Finance Secretary John Swinney told Parliament when setting out the Scottish budget, which included additional funding for colleges and Scottish students.

Paying particular attention to education, Mr Swinney says he has listened carefully to the opposition parties in formulating his budget for 2012-13 and that the SNP had “acted decisively in the interest of our economy, our public services and the people of Scotland”.

Concerns over future of Clydesdale Bank prompt renewed calls for more economic powers

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Wednesday, 08 February 2012 06:28

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By G.A.Ponsonby

Concerns over the future of the Clydesdale Bank have prompted renewed calls for Scotland to be given more economic powers in order to protect the Scottish economy.

The calls follow an announcement yesterday from the bank’s owners, National Australia Bank (NAB), that they are reviewing their UK operations as a result of the economic policies being pursued by the Westminster Government.

Scotland’s economic future – a contested space

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Tuesday, 07 February 2012 19:52

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By Russell Bruce

There’s that old joke that if you ask 10 economists a question you will get 11 answers. If one thing is certain the numbers and opinions being bandied about by economists, think tanks and Uncle Tom Cobley and all is set to rise exponentially as the Independence Referendum gathers pace.

In the latest edition of the National Institute Economic Review there is an interesting article by Dr Angus Armstrong.