PM ‘too soft’ on Brexiteers
Rate hit 4.5% in late 2017, figures show
THERESA MAY was yesterday accused of being weak on Brexiteers after dozens of Tory hardliners sent her a list of demands.
Sixty members of the right-wing European Research Group added their names to the letter setting out expectations for Brexit with “full regulatory autonomy”.
Embarassingly for Ruth Davidson, three Scottish Tory MPs – Alister Jack, Colin Clark and Stephen Kerr – signed the letter.
Jack, the MP for Dumfries and Galloway, insisted that Davidson would have no problem with his stance.
He said: “We vote with our consciences as members of parliament and we stand up for the things we believe in. She has no problem with that.”
The letter row blew up as Scottish and UK Governments prepared for another meeting on transferring EU powers to devolved parliaments as part of the Brexit process.
In the Commons. Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington said he wanted “to work in partnership with the Scottish and Welsh Governments to deliver a big increase in the powers”.
He shared proposed changes to the controversial Clause 11 of the EU with Scottish ministers yesterday.
Mike Russell, the Scottish Government Brexit Minister, said: “I will be making it abundantly clear that we need to see further progress on safeguarding devolution.
“We are not opposed to UK-wide frameworks, when they are in Scotland’s interest. But devolved powers can only be changed with the agreement of the Scottish Parliament.”
SCOTLAND’S jobless rate rose to 4.5 per cent in the final three months of 2017, according to official data.
The rate was slightly above the 4.4 per cent for the UK as a whole.
Scottish Employability Minister Jamie Hepburn described the figures as “disappointing”, while opposition parties said they highlighted mismanagement of the economy.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said the figures were “worrying”, and called on the Scottish Government to use devolved powers to boost the economy and promote growth.
He added: “It is troubling >`Ã Ài ÞÕ½ that instead of focusing on improving Scotland’s prosperity, the Scottish Government are choosing to hike taxes for thousands of hard working Scots.”
Scottish Labour’s economy spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “The Government should be using the £11billion a year >Ì we spend on public contracts and procurement to drive up labour standards, pay more workers a real living wage and ban zero hours contracts.”
Unemployment rose by 14,000 from October to December, with 124,000 Scots out of work.
Hepburn said a budget investment of almost £2.4billion in enterprise and skills and rates relief worth £720million would help.
He added: “These figures show 68,000 more people in employment compared to the pre-recession peak.
“It is encouraging we continue to outperform the UK on employment and unemployment rates for young people and women.” Dress from REISS, £175. Make-up by Jennifer Beattie at Violet Rose. Hair by Mia Strada at Argyll Arcade, Glasgow