11/03/2012 Sunday Politics Scotland

Welcome to the Sunday politics. Has a government commission on a

British Coal operates at been erected by the Justice Secretary?

The explosive allegation of a member of the Commission on the

verge of resigning his post this morning. And as the Government's

welfare reforms become or will the changes really transform Britain?

The Work and Pensions Secretary joins us. All that, and Danny

The First Minister Alex Salmond joins us on the second day of the

party's spring conference. And what really makes kids happy? How

materialistic have our children become? UNICEF is putting parents

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 1667 seconds

Peak weekend say that when Universal Credit concern everybody

all it will be better than it -- better off than they wear on

benefits. Supposing Act Institute comes to

see you for advice. He is offered a promotion which would take him over

the higher rate of threshold and as a result would lose child benefit.

How do you advise, take the job or not?

Always. Even if you lose �1,700?

You are always better off if you take a job that improves your

options. The interplay with child benefit is a simple fact of life.

You are dealing with the way it is about to be set by the Budget. It

will be withdrawn from people on higher income. That is a reality

for those people. But the Government does not have a huge

amount of money and we need to pay off our deficit. So there is only

Can I ask you for a brief reaction to the idea of a UK Bill of Rights,

the claims that there is no need for the commission, what do you

say? These meetings are not in the

public domain and I do not know what was on by closed doors. All I

can say is that my Permanent Secretary is to a pet -- fair and

decent man, someone who has given a lot of his life to public service,

in my experience he was straight and had no attempt -- made no

attack took -- made no attempt to It is just after 11:30am. You are

watching the Sunday politics. Welcome to the Scottish edition.

Coming up: the SNP faithful queue at a conference to here that home-

rule is better than Conservative rule. Alex Salmond is with us live.

And a politician who did most to expose the phone hacking scandal

says that Alex Salmond should distance himself from Rupert

Murdoch. He is the only Western leader that

Rupert Murdoch seems to be cosying up to. It is not in the interests

of the Scottish people. Minimum pricing for alcohol is back

on the legislative agenda, this time with backing from the

Conservatives. And what makes hour family is

happy? The latest video games, or more time with the family?

Alex Salmond has warned Scots they face a clear choice in the

forthcoming referendum - independence or Conservative rule

from Westminster. I will be talking to the First Minister in a few

minutes. What a difference be here makes. Last year's spring

conference saw the SNP behind in the polls and potential losers. 12

months on they have a majority government and are pursuing a

independence referendum. This conference is a very busy indeed.

They have been queuing for two hours to get in and see Alex

Salmond. They are looking to hear a vision on how the First Minister

can deliver the party its historic aim, independence.

I have been in favour of independence ever since I was a

small child. I do not want to see any more of the Conservatives.

Accentuating the positive aspects of independence, reassuring the

electorate of the economic argument. The message was simple and familiar

when it came. Independence could, London, Westminster, the

Conservatives, bad. The Prime Minister tried to dictate

the terms but I have a message - the days of politicians and London

telling Scotland what to do and think, they are over.

This was a clear attempt to detoxify the pro-union brand.

Little wonder the referendum date is six months... It was almost as

if the Scottish Parliament and its powers did not exist but then he

came to the more subtle side of the argument. Look at our record any

areas of crime and health. A we're showing our friends in

England that there is an alternative. Let me be clear,

because of the independence we have over the health service in Scotland

this Government will ensue if that Scotland's National Health Service

is never for sale. As a measure of independence on health, education,

law and order, we have made Scotland a better place. Think what

we could do with Scottish control of the economy, of international

representation, and of security. Apart from the issue of

independence this was a very Labour speech - that was not much that

traditional Labour voters would disagree with. Why did he focus on

such traditional Labour values? I wonder. This is the SNP's newest

member. The party's popularity has never been greater but Mr Salmond

will be to continue recruiting even more to his cause. Labour voters

appear to be in his sights. Good morning, First Minister. You are

getting very good reviews. Have you read them?

Politicians only read reviews and they are good ones, so obviously

the answer is yes. You said that the days of

politicians in London telling Scotland what to do and think are

over, but if we keep the pound, post-independence, actually will be

a monetary policy of the Bank of England telling us what to do.

In monetary policy, but not fiscal policy. I made a speech in the

London School of Economics with I outlined six areas of fiscal policy,

taxation policy, that will make a very substantial difference within

the context of a Stirling zone. So my argument would be within the

context of that Swan -- sterling zone, which have a very powerful

impact. For example, air passenger duty, that would provide a boost to

tourism. That is an example of something we could do while still

having control of key areas of fiscal economy. -- fiscal policy.

But given what is going on in you that nobody would argue that you

can disentangle monetary policy from fiscal policy. If the Bank of

England was their lender of last resort it will not agree to a

fiscal policy it thinks is irresponsible. Other economists say

that because of keeping the pound there will be little room for

manoeuvre. Do you accept that? I do not. That's why I made a

speech. But I think there is a fundamental

difference incidentally between a stare lingers on in Scotland and

England. -- sterling zone. This is totally different to the Euro zone.

Certainly any quarter Asian and the stability pact but you would still

be able to have to eat terminations. -- certainly you need co-operation.

But in terms of the march and you have been talking about not

exceeding 3% of GDP. -- margin. We know that George Osborne has a

tight fiscal regime. You want to loosen the fiscal regime. So there

is obviously a contradiction - when you say there is as packed I am

trying to work out whose priorities would be most persuasive?

I take the example of 3% of GDP and borrowing over the long term. That

is an essential discipline any country needs at any time. But take

last year. Figures recently published show a �2.6 billion

surplus relative to the UK figures. That is �510 for every man, woman

and child in Scotland. But if we bought the same as the UK we would

be �510 per person better off. -- If we borrowed the same. You

certainly could have made life in Scotland substantially better for

its people by marrying Scotland's resources to the talent and ability

of its people. So people ruse that fiscal policy does not make a

difference belie the reality. -- people that say.

But you agree there would need to be a stability pact and a pact on

the borrowing? Within their monitory zone, yes.

But as I have set out and substantial detail, the fiscal

independence with in that position would allow you to boost to growth

in the Scottish economy. That is real independence in the modern

world. Control of resources, taxation, the ability to make you

economy more competitive and society more fair.

But only to the point that your lender of last resort agrees with

the fiscal policy. Are you arguing that the Bank of England will

bankroll a fiscal policy it thinks is irresponsible?

That is not what it does. If it is lender of last resort...

That is determined by your Treasury. It is the same in England. Monetary

policy, not fiscal policy. The Bank of England is independent from the

Chancellor of the Exchequer and never mind any Scottish minister.

So does to people say we would give up control of monetary policy

conveniently forget that Gordon Brown already did so in 1997. We

would be no different position relative to the Bank of England

than the UK Chancellor is at the moment. There is a difference

between the monetary policy framework and the fiscal policy -

control taxation. All I am suggesting, First

Minister... It is not just that.

But there will have to be some sort of pact. You cannot just run a

fiscal policy that is out of step with what the lender of last resort

Pinks is OK to secure its credit ratings and his interest.

But the Bank of England does not determine fiscal policy. You would

have a fiscal stability pact because you do these things anyway.

People cent over the long term of GDP is no more than any prudent

country anywhere would have any way. -- 3%. I am saying that control of

taxation and spending is absolutely critical to boosting the Scottish

economy, increasing our competitive position, and building a fair

society. Your comments then, control over

our own finances would be by his �2.6 billion better off, �510 per

man, women, and child. -- the fiscal balance is �33.5 billion in

the red. Those saving, known vesting, just slightly less debt.

You are wrong about that. What matters is what our position would

have been if we borrowed the same as the United Kingdom. The figures

show that we're too �0.6 billion better off. In other words we could

have borrowed or invested that. -- �2.6 billion. It is the comparison

between your relative standing with the United Kingdom. If we borrowed

and spent at the same level we would have been that much better

off. As you rightly say, �510 per man, woman, and child. That gives

you the choice to Bordeaux, save more, or invest in the future. --

Bordeaux. Scotland is indisputably in a better position than the

United Kingdom at the moment. -- borrow.

When will we be in a position to save money from North Sea oil

revenues? Norway started and or oil fund

whilst it was running a fiscal deficit. All the sleet you do it

when fiscal circumstances allow -- obviously. But during the last five

years we would have been �8 billion better off if we had been running

our own finances. -- 8,000 billion. Comparing our position, we with the

United Kingdom. I know it is inconvenient for our opponents but

these official figures have These figures show subsidy has been

flowing from England -- Scotland to England. You set 25,000

apprenticeships every year and each linked to a new job. That is the

important point, a Modern apprenticeship is up employed. The

completion rate is extremely high. Give a have a job at the end of it?

The majority goes into employment. This is a great strength of this

system. The job retention rate is extremely high. We what percentage

get a permanent job? The completion rate as up into the 70 %. I can

check the figures, but the key thing is when someone gets a trade,

they are able to be employed. The challenge we have is that people

have not the opportunity to get a trade. Some initiatives are driving

at how we can help people in that category. There's a statutory

guarantee of nursery care next year. Can you guarantee that for rural

areas? We put it into statute next year. It will be a statutory

guarantee so will apply all over Scotland. Every family will be

entitled to 600 and day towers of nursery care as an allowance. It is

a huge social advance, liberating many young parents into the

workplace. Eating guaranteed whenever the Louth they will be

able to access that? Yes. constitutional issues, we speculate

on the scenario that after a referendum, people say yes. Do you

stand MPs for all Westminster at the next election in 2015? We will

stand MPs as long as Scotland is government by the Westminster

Parliament. If Scotland becomes independent, there would be no

Scottish MPs and the House of Commons. How long can that take?

The target date is the next Scottish parliamentary elections in

four years time. The think the legislative framework can be worked

out in four years time? Yes, I do. This law Mac dissolution take

approximately that timescale. look at the 2016 Holyrood election,

if you have not come back to the people with another way of testing

opinion to say this is the deal, when you get to 2016, what if the

auteurs used that as a red -- as a referendum, what have they don't

like it and there is not a majority SNP government? And the

circumstances of the people they believe in independence getting a

referendum, it is reasonable that independence supporters would be in

a strong position. Last time we were in this position, if I

remember correctly, you said, you are behind in the polls, two months

later, we had the support of the Scottish people. Her track record

is impressive. I think I may have been misquoted. You must have stood

alone in the Scottish press. anally, at the comments of Tom

Watson, he says your relationship with Rupert Murdoch could be

damaging. Tom Watson is the best chairman of the Labour Party. They

are hypocritical about this matter. Today's English The Sun On Sunday,

there was a court of... But how would you describe your

relationship? There is a huge professional -- commercial fit

print in Scotland. I have not changed my mind on these matters. I

have supported the inquiries. I have never understood why these

matters have never been a investigated. You met Rupert

Murdoch in Edinburgh in February. The day before that, Leveson

inquiry discovered shocking revelations. One woman said the

paper had tried to police -- intimidate police officers. The

next day, you met Rupert Murdoch. Why shouldn't that meeting have

been taking by someone on your team? I supported the police

inquiries. I supported the Leveson inquiry I have done that north and

south of the border. As for the meeting, I released publicly the

meeting had taken place. It was all above board. I did it from the

consistent position that I put forward. I recognise that companies

have major footprints in Scotland. News International have said they

will change their ways, but it was OK for them to meet News

International while we're on their malpractice. The Labour Party's

attitude to this has been questionable. The MP who led the

charge on the phone hacking scandal has said this relationship is

potentially damaging for Scotland. The media interests are coming

under scrutiny. His BSkyB a fit and proper owner of a broadcasting

licence? The lesson of the hacking scandal

is that politicians just got too close. There has to be a distance.

Alex Salmond seems to be the only Western leader who wants to get

close to Rupert Murdoch. I think it is probably a mistake for Scotland.

He is to a powerful media more goal. He exerts too powerful an influence

or institutions. When real look at Leveson inquiry,

is spreading north of the border? It is likely we must all the

evidence. How do you think this applies in

Scotland? I do not want to pre-empt Leveson. He is digging deeply into

tabloid journalism. If he comes up with chords of conduct, it is

something that should be considered by the industry in Scotland. There

could be a legislative framework? few thinks there are no protections

and law, we have to consider that. It is too early to pre-empt what he

does. With the Press Complaints Commission saying a robust

independent regulator being set up. I think the PCC is the most damaged

brand and the United Kingdom. I feel it has not got a future. I

think it is presumptuous and insulting to Lord Leveson. What you

think it says about their attitude to the public? The general approach

of the PCC historically is one of dumb insolence. We're seeing

editors coming up with discussions about... The idea that the PCC will

be a vehicle that delivers that reform after so many failures as a

mistake. They have lost trust. couldn't be any public confidence

in any form? Again, it is too early to tell. A model of self regulation

that has some powers based on statute might work. It is not too

late to look at self regulatory models but we should not pre-empt

Leveson. It can be good to partner with the industry. If they do not

play ball, that will be down to politicians. Do we have that

courage? It is too early to tell. There is intent after the Millie

Dolan episode. At some point, David Cameron will have to act on Leveson.

I hope that the unity displayed remains. There is a question mark.

Is there a difficult balance between regulating and restricting

press activity? Yes. No one wants politicians and government to and

newspapers. Do we not want newspapers proprietors all were

influencing government? You need a propriety to the relationship.

Minimum pressing for roll-call is getting closer. Holyrood will

debate the Government's plans. Targeting low-cost, high-strength

rent remains divisive. -- a drink wine tasting night in an Edinburgh

off-licence. This sells for just under �5. It me

or �5 with minimum pricing. The order cents it will not affect the

business. Minimum pricing is a good idea. It will prevent alcohol being

used as a weapon by some retailers to get customers into them. It will

be good for the health of the nation and independent retailers.

It will probably be good for the public. Minimum pricing was not to

everyone's taste. It might work as a disincentive but, as a whole, it

will hurt people who drink responsibly. I have heard it have

under-aged drinking before. It is worth a shot. In 2010, minimum

pricing measures were voted out of the last alcohol bill. The SNP did

not have a majority them. Now read the bought their new law will be in

place by the summer. Their health committee has been scrutinised. New

research suggests a minimum price of 45 pence per unit would reduce

consumption by 4.3 % rather than 4.7 % previously predicted. The SNP

backed 45p. This time, they will suggest a specific minimum price

later in the process. Nicola Sturgeon agreed to a five-year at

sunset clause it would result in David Cameron is considering

similar measures south of the border. But it is still scepticism.

The Scottish grocers Association represents convenience score goals

like this one. -- convenience stores.

This measure will not be helpful in terms of targeting problem drinkers.

It is indiscriminate and disproportionate. It will affect

our customers and there were businesses.

Customers are divided. To be more expensive the alcohol

the less problems our young people will have in the future.

It is a good idea. It will put off those who drank most nights of the

week. All evidence suggests that it will

hit jobs harder than it will hit teenagers drinking in the street.

So it remains a contentious issue. But drinkers will soon get used to

it. -- soon have to get used to it. I am joined by representatives of

the SNP, Labour, and the Conservatives. Why have the

Conservatives changed their mind? We remain sceptical but we have

changed her mind because we have been negotiating with the Scottish

Government. We have succeeded in bringing in a sunset clause so if

it proved to be ineffective the measure will be dropped in five

years. We have gained concessions that there will be voluntary

notifications of the European Union to see if this as a legal measure.

And we're also asked for a review comparing and a rare -- comparing a

region like the North of England so we can see a like for like. And

lastly we want more work done on the culture and relationship of

Scots with alcohol. We drink 20% more than in England but the price

is the same. So by gaining these concessions we have decided to

support the Bill. It was going through anyway so we think we have

helped improve it. You could have second-guessed most

of these amendments anyway. The substantive arguments have not

changed. Do you regret delay in what could have been a significant

health improving policy? North. We remain sceptical and have

serious concerns about whether this will work. -- no. Alcohol

consumption is falling but the problems relating to it continue to

rise. Internet sales could lead Scotland and go elsewhere and we

also think that more people will buy across the border in England

but we have negotiated with Nicola Sturgeon for three months and feel

that the sunset clause which the minority government had and which

was taken out when the became a majority, we have helped to bring

that back in. We think we're moving forward and a sensible manner.

Labour are now isolated on this quote. You have turned your back on

detailed medical evidence you have...

Sorry! There is no evidence. It says that harmful rather than

moderate drinkers can be tackled effectively with the changes. Are

you suggesting that it was not medical opinion which said, let's

try this, even with a sunset clause? Your not CDs are suggesting

that there was a swathe of medical opinion that supported this? -- you

are not seriously suggesting. I have spent a quarter of my life

working with alcoholics and would not have suggested voting against

this if I believed it would work. It will not tackle the young and

binge drinkers who are the critical problem we have. This is the third

time in its history that Scotland has faced Algol problems and it is

always a cultural issue. -- alcohol. In Sheffield they aimed to drink

just over half a pint less per 100 pts. That will not tackle this

problem. Would it not therefore be sensible

then to try and figure out at what level the minimum pricing works,

rather than at write it off altogether?

But the windfall to the retailers goes up. At 45p it is �100 million.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has said that the market response

will be critical - if the price is reduced above the minimum price

level so that the purchase a basket of each individual is roughly even

doubt, the policy will be nullified. And this will only affect the

poorest 30% of the community. It will not affect the middle class,

who are drinking too much, and there are more hazardous drinkers

in the middle group of the population. They will not be

affected. Let's talk about that accusation

that you are targeting the pool. It is untrue. The doctor is in a

minority. You looking at more income groups, 80% either do not

drink at all or drink too moderate levels and are unaffected by price

rises. Only 20% will be affected. At the price difference between

them and higher income groups is 0.7 %. There is even evidence to

show that supermarkets inflate the price of their food to cross

subsidise the alcohol in their stores. It will benefit those in

low income groups and the most harmful drinkers. All the evidence

shows that. It acknowledges that the welfare benefits of minimum

pricing will be substantial. Or as a point of principle you have

your reservations. But there is a body of evidence that says it could

work. Why would you not, given their is a sunset clause, why would

you not say, give it and go, see what happens? Other eyes it looks

like opposition for the sake of opposition. -- otherwise.

They SNP have put out that lie from the outset. I have put forward

cogent arguments. Can I finish? If you drink 14 or 15 units per week,

well within deceive deadlines, this as a tax of �120 per year on your

drinking. Why should a poor person be punished this way?

It is nonsense. You must be reading reports that do not exist. Quite

frankly Richard is desperately searching for evidence that does

not exist. What do you think David Cameron

will do on this? The truth as I do not know Phil's

got surprisingly enough we decide here in Scotland what we're going

to do. Jackson has been negotiating with Nicola Sturgeon since January.

He came to our group at a fortnight ago. We had a robust discussion and

we all came to the agreement, 15 of us, that we would support minimum

pricing on the basis of the concessions we have one.

But you advice would be it is a good thing to do? To have this in

the south rather than go, I speak - - as has been suggested, tackling

it through the tax system? I am left Richard Simpson on this

one. We would prefer that it was done through duties. But David

Cameron does not tell us what to do nor do we tell him. If it goes

through duties the money goes to the taxpayer and to fund public

services. Richard makes a very good point. This will raise the profits

for retailers and he is correct also that there was no evidence in

Sheffield as regards Genscher drinking and middle income earners.

-- binge drinking. His duty a blunt instrument?

It is not necessarily the right way to do it. Also, so poor market

profits, I note that the Conservatives are opposing the

public health levy to tax supermarkets and Labour won against

the Tesco tax. Nobody has spoken against the 40 people whose lives

may be spared in the First Year that minimum pricing is brought an

end. Let's talk about the public health benefits.

I am sorry we're out of time. I just want Richard to have a final

work. Labour were raising taxes and the

conservative coalition are continually get. It means you do

not have over �100 million going to the retailers which will be spent

on more advertising and reducing the price of higher priced drinks.

Research for a UNICEF shows that children in the UK feel trapped in

a materialistic culture and do not spend enough time with their

families. We will be joined shortly by the author of the report. First,

we spoke to two families to find out what impact modern life has on

them. My tea realism has come to dominate family life in Scotland. -

- materialism. My son wants football boots priced

at �124. This was advertised just before

Christmas. C went on about it for weeks on end, begging for them.

Jennifer is a single parent who works full-time as a student nurse.

She had to save all week to buy her son a smart phone.

All his friends have won so why felt pressure so that he could fit

again. I see lots of expensive things and

I want them. If you want to get in with a good group of friends then

you need expensive stuff. When I didn't have an iPhone people would

call me poor and say that I couldn't afford one.

He a UNICEF report says that parents in the UK feel tremendous

pressure from society to buy goods for their children. They do not

call it retail therapy for nothing. Shopping makes me feel good. It is

a reward for a hard day at work. It makes me feel good about myself.

It is a pretty world and I like to fit and.

But could this consumerism affect It attracts people from really

paying attention to the things that would be better from their lives. -

- detractors. The research shows that parents in

the United Kingdom lose out on time together as if -- as a family due

to long working arose. They try to make up for this by buying children

Effort is a choice between an iPhone and a holiday next to the

Could children face pressure on all fronts. There is a strong image is

sending a message that this is what should be done. How people should

be. Where value lies. Getting away from that and getting back to focus

on relationships, friends and families, that balance needs to be

struck. It is not right at the moment.

With UNICEF reporting that inequality is greater in the UK

than in other countries should we be doing more to guarantee the

welfare of her children? The author of the report is here. Thank you

for coming and. If we look at when this Stark's, we heard from B race

people in the past that before your children are born you're being told

to spend a small fortune. Yes, it start before children are born.

Ridiculous things like baby perfume. They smell nice enough on their own.

But BA is huge pressure on parents to have all the latest things. --

one father there we spoke to had produced an entire football

strapped to pin up everywhere around the nursery. It comes from

A lot is not mediated by parents. Presumably, we have always wanted

things. What has changed? There is a lot more stuff out there. When we

did the work for Unicef, we filmed 24 families, we were falling over

the stuff. There is so much to buy. It is advertised. Our children

asking for it Ora parents using it of we were seeing sorry I am not

spending time with you? When we asked my children, they said time

with my family and friends. That is what children want. When the our

school, like that child said there, so once or has a nightspot. Parents

start to feel they are bad parents if they do not give children what

they want. The feel disenfranchised. They feel they are the only ones.

If parents got together, they would realise other parents were not

going to buy a these things. Solidarity might help. Do you think

there are sections of society who find it easier to save all? Those

in hiring comes often have more time. We found families who were

struggling, having to work lots of jobs, they did not have time to

explain to their children. If you can survive on one income, you have

a mother and father, you can set and talk -- top two children.

came out that some parents EU's but a dance. It raises the child's

expectation and plazas the lines between authority figures and the

child. They embody dad is interesting. Mothers and daughters

go to pamper parties. Some parents use their children as rents. The

authority has gone. We spot to mothers in Spain. They just say no

to their children. The children appreciated parents seeing off. One

little boy said he had saved for Russ Star Wars set. He said if you

do not save up, there is no Cherish mint. As bank loans become more

difficult to obtain, one bank which started in Bangladesh is loaning to

people in Scotland. The idea has been around for 30 years. Could it

work here? It began in Bangladesh, a country

where 63 million people live below the poverty line. It was here the

idea of micro finance began. This The idea is for the bank to offer a

small loans to people trying to set up businesses. The bank says it

promotes self-reliance. The poorest will create their own employment.

It is now coming to Scotland. This man has a Nobel Prize for his

banking model. He believes it can work here. We gave people to create

their own jobs. They'd do the things they know or how to do.

Sowing, making cakes, walking dogs. Here at St Paul's Church, local

women have started a lunch club. We see a small loan would help them do

it more quickly. We are doing better sewing and ironing. We're

hoping to get that up and running and get some machines in. Perhaps

we can get some washing machines and do some laundry. Some money

would help that. We are going to the basement. It is hoped this

launderette could employee some staff. This model for stamping out

poverty is not without its critics. Some people say it does not work.

We're set up by people who want to escape poverty. The idea is they

will automatically have clients. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Poor people do not have money so will not be able to purchase items

and services. There is concerned people taking out loans would no

longer apply for benefits. The test will come over the next few months

as people take out loans. It can be years before we know or if it works.

Good afternoon. The finance Secretary will use his speech at

the conference and the next few minutes to say that Scots will be

better off living in independence. John Swinney will cite the figures

and will see they can afford independence. We have set out the

course that Scots pay more into the United Kingdom than be get tight.

It is �510 per person. That is a platform from which we wanted

Scotland to become independent. Local authority is warning that any

plan to move you clear spill from - - fuel from Dounreay should be done

by real. Highland councils say taking nuclear material by rail has

a poor safety record. Britannia's royal barge is

undergoing sea trials. The bought based that portion terminal a neck

and baroque was used to transport the Royal Family from the yacht

until it was decommissioned in 1987. It will feature and the Diamond

High pressure firmly in control. Further east, we should see more

brightness. It will be cooler further west. Tomorrow, not much

changed. Some brightness again further east. This week, mainly dry

and settled. Let us take a look back at the

Weeting 60 seconds. The UK's first green investment

bank would have headquarters in Edinburgh.

Tributes to Paul McBride found dead in Pakistan.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Vince Cable mentioned breaking up

the Royal Bank of Scotland. A in terms of the new

qualifications, there is work to be done before schools can be

reassured. Eric Joyce has been fined �3,000 and banned from pubs

after admitting assaulting politicians. I have been duly

punished. I was lucky to avoid prison.

The top of the steamy, dominated by the party's spring conference

season. Joining me, Mandy roads. Former

special adviser to John Swinney. Good reviews for Alex Salmond's

speech. Very good reviews. He is often associated with economic

issues. He devotes his speech to social issues. The interesting

thing from yesterday's conference was talk of the Social Union. That

is significant. The SNP will be trying to say to people, you can

keep the bits you like. You can keeps airline. So we can get rid of

the things we don't like. It is that the road they are heading

down? It is odd for me that the conference is not discussing, is

not asking the membership bought Social Union means. There is a

danger that people ask what is different. Should there be a second

question? That question is absent. Devolved areas, the highlighted

that they were working. Is that not the danger? That is a danger. Some

say the SNP could be so successful and devolution that people will not

go on to independence. At the moment, there are huge spending

cuts down the line. Next year, the Lindsay there are record

investments in North Sea oil. Speed can do so much in devolution.

Meakin said -- they can save you can improve on the things you like.

Far be it from me to suggest they would fall late -- fault Holyrood

magazine. A few can short it has not just been under devolution,

there is an argument for discussing what we do differently. If that is

better, there is an argument other things can be done better.

sounds like a soft Labour vote. Mean or lots of people left Labour

to vote for the SNP. Labour are not for independence. It is about

getting that pitch right. A lot of the speech yesterday it was

important for that. How much autonomy you can run on fiscal

policy, this will have to be explored in more detail. The