The SNP has today criticised what are clear plans by the UK Government to cut capital investment across the UK and called for the powers to protect Scottish capital investment.

With reports that expenditure on social housing is to be slashed by 50% in England and Wales as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review - a move that will have considerable impact on the Scottish Government's capital budget - SNP MSP for Glasgow Bob Doris said the move showed the cuts were going too far, too fast.

"Slashing capital spending on social housing in England and Wales will significantly cut the capital available for the Scottish Government to invest.

"This SNP Scottish Government is working to protect the public services Scotland values.  David Cameron and Danny Alexander may not care about social and affordable housing but the SNP knows that Scotland does.

"The SNP is ending right to buy for new tenants, has embarked on a significant programme of social house building - by local authorities and housing associations and we are already investigating alternative ways of funding social housing.

"We are working within the powers we have to find alternatives but those who recognise the importance of continued funding must also recognise that Scotland needs full economic powers to generate growth, increase revenue, support our construction industry and communities through housing investment and to ensure we can continue to protect the things that matter to people across Scotland.

"The UK Government is cutting too far and too fast and it is only the SNP, working together with people across the country, that has an alternative vision to a decade of dismal cuts and a better future ahead."