Nicola Sturgeon has called on Westminster to increase funding for Scotland and facilitate the many 'shovel-ready' projects awaiting the go-ahead.

The deputy First Minister made the call following Finance Secretary John Swinney’s letter to the Chancellor asking for extra capital spending in Scotland. He said there were construction projects which could begin before the end of 2013/14 and provide job opportunities and spur economic growth.

Ms Sturgeon was at the British-Irish Council in Cardiff as she made the remarks.

"The scale of the UK Governments cuts to public investment are acting as a key drag on economic growth,” she said.

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"They are too deep, too quick and are holding the whole of the UK back. The Scottish Government is taking forward a range of initiatives to stimulate our economy.

"A key action is a major programme of investment in capital infrastructure - despite the significant cuts by the UK Government to our capital budget of around a third between 2010-11 and 2014-15.

"But there is only so much we can do within our limited powers.

"That is why we are calling on the UK Government to provide a much needed stimulus to the economy through increasing capital investment which creates jobs and increases confidence in the short term, and creates long term assets for sustainable growth.

"We have highlighted a fresh set of projects across Scotland that could get underway in short order should the UK Government make extra capital investment available now.

"The Chancellor must act in his Autumn Statement in December – the whole of the UK economy needs it. We are ready to put extra spending to immediate use in Scotland, stimulating growth and creating substantial numbers of new jobs."

(IT)