Scottish Labour demand urgent plan to deal with Brexit economic crisis

Scottish Labour has demanded the Holyrood and Westminster administrations take urgent measures to protect Scotland’s economy from falling further behind the rest of the UK in the aftermath of the vote for Brexit.

The Governments in Westminster and Holyrood must support at-risk sectors and bring forward construction projects in order to stimulate the economy, Scottish Labour said. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon must not ignore these responsibilities while trying to keep Scotland in the EU, according to Scottish Labour.

The plan includes:

1) Bringing forward infrastructure spending, particularly projects which focus on housebuilding in order to reach 60,000 affordable homes built over the next 5 years.

2) Establishing a ‘Brexit Support Fund’ in order to support sectors threatened by leaving the EU.

3) Guaranteeing current workers’ rights would continue to exist in the UK.

4) Confirming EU nationals can remain in the UK after Brexit.

5) Using the new powers of the Scottish Parliament in order to end austerity

It also includes and appeal to Theresa May to stop using human beings a “bargaining chips” and commit to allowing EU nationals to remain in the UK and protect workers’ rights.

Kezia Dugdale said Scotland’s Governments must prepare for the reality of Brexit:

“The Tory and SNP Governments must explore all options to ensure that Scotland can remain in the EU and the UK. That is what the majority of people in Scotland voted for. However, Scotland’s Governments have a moral duty to protect jobs and the economy from the fallout of Brexit.

“The Tory Government must stop using human beings as bargaining chips and guarantee that those who work, study and live here can stay and that the rights we enjoy at work are protected. At a time when Europe and the rest of the world are looking at the UK in confusion that would send a vital signal that we remain a compassionate country.

“Labour stands with the majority of Scots who want to be part of the UK and the EU – we won’t give up pursuing those options but protecting jobs and public services must come first.”