Scottish Cabinet meeting about financial crisis, Alex Salmond wants economic Plan B, so what’s happening in Wales?

I have already asked if the First Minister is monitoring events of the financial crisis and what if anything he and his colleagues could do to help Welsh business and households who are suffering as a result, but not for the first time it’s his Scottish counterpart who really puts into sharp focus Carwyn Jones lack of leadership and inaction during the ongoing crisis.

On Monday (8th August) the Scotsman reported ‘First Minister Alex Salmond has called for a "Plan B" to protect Scotland's economy during the global economic crisis.

Mr Salmond made the call as his SNP cabinet was due to discuss economic recovery during a meeting in Stranraer today as part of a summer tour of Scotland.

The First Minister repeated the SNP's flagship demand for increased fiscal responsibilities - such as enhanced borrowing and tax powers - for the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Salmond said: "Governments have to focus on the issues that matter to people during this uncertain international situation and that means jobs and economic recovery.

"The idea that exports alone can pull the economy into greater growth is far fetched.

"Therefore we need a domestic stimulus and one which will not cause jitters in the financial markets.

"The best way to do that is to focus on capital investment and consumer and company confidence.

"These are the measures that the Scottish Government is bringing forward within the powers that we have.

"However, what Scotland really needs is the greater ability to grow our economy and create jobs. The UK Chancellor has to realise that changing events require changes in policy."

Today's cabinet meeting comes after Mr Salmond appealed for cross party backing over plans to give Scottish ministers a statutory role in European Union discussions.'

Added to that the South Wales Chamber of Commerce has today reported that business growth slowed during the second quarter of 2011 among retail and construction business in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, its more evidence of the challenges they face and the lack of interest there remains in Welsh Government circles to help Welsh business large and small through the tough economic times we face.
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