Unite, Scotland's largest trade union, has today condemned the Scottish government's decision to scrap the £120 million Glasgow Airport rail link amid growing criticism.

Finance Secretary, John Swinney, told the Scottish parliament the rail link had to be scrapped in this year's Scottish budget. The Glasgow Airport rail link was due to open in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and was originally proposed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport which won backing from MSPs for the plan in 2006.

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It has been estimated that up to £182 million had been earmarked for improving the line between Glasgow and Paisley with £47 million already spent on station improvements to Glasgow Central and new track and signalling. Scottish Ministers estimated that the project would have generated 1,300 jobs in total.

John Quigley, Unite Scotland Regional Secretary, said: "The Glasgow Airport rail link is a vital piece of the infrastructure needed for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, but it is also essential for the rest of Scotland economy. It is estimated that the project would have created 1,300 jobs and safeguarded jobs dependent on Glasgow Airport by improving connectivity and transport integration.

"Infrastructural projects do create jobs unlike the spurious claims by the Scottish government that business rate taxation cuts have positive effects on employment levels. The Scottish government should be focusing on supporting and creating jobs but these latest actions call that seriously into question."

(CD/KMcA)