SHERIDAN SLAMS GORDON BROWN ON THE ECONOMY
Scottish Socialist Party Convenor Tommy Sheridan speaking in Inverness at the STUC today slammed Gordon Brown’s claims on the economy.

He said,

“Gordon Brown has made great claims about the Scottish economy today, but the truth is very different. The real figures for unemployment in Scotland are three times higher than the official figures he uses. They record only those unemployed and claiming benefit but they exclude a further 200,000 who would like to work but can’t claim benefits.

He also fails to mention that many of those in work are still in poverty due to their low wages. The latest figures on poverty show that 40% of the poor are actually in work, but on the poverty-level minimum wage he set at £4.20 an hour.

Only the SSP’s policy of a minimum wage of £7.32 an hour can lift the working poor out of poverty. This would apply not only to the over 21’s but to all those aged 16 and over so that the bosses would not be able to employ young staff on a cheaper wage.”
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For further information contact Tommy Sheridan on 07887 795075 or Hugh Kerr on 01620 890518/07713 063647