Sturgeon defends indy growth report

● Commission ‘rejects” austerity ● Claims are branded desperate

Nicola Sturgeon has launched a staunch defence of the SNP’S Growth Commission amid growing anger from left-wing independence supporters that it is a blueprint for years of austerity.

The long-awaited report was published on Friday and included plans for a ten-year deficit reduction programme in the early years of independence which would include restraints on public spending.

Scottish Socialist party leader Colin Fox was the latest leading pro-independence figure to attack the commission report, warning that it would drive Yes supporters to Jeremy Corbyn.

But the First Minister insisted the report “explicitly rejected” austerity and that public spending could still rise. But this must be lower than the overall rate of growth in the economy in order to bring Scotland’s £113 billion deficit under control.

Ms Sturgeon said she had been reading a lot of “interesting comments” on social media about the report.

But she tweeted: “The report explicitly rejects austerity eg Part B p44 – “Scotland should explicitly reject the austerity model pursued by the UK in recent years” and recommends above inflation spending growth each year.

“A marked contrast to the failed Westminster approach.”

The SNP leader also makes it clear that fiscal targets should not be at the expense of growth, which is described as a “sharp contrast”.

“Indeed, it recommends fiscal stimulus both in the independence transition and in periods of low growth, “she added.