Yet another example of Labour's deceitful campaigning 

Commenting on today’s article in the Observer - which has obtained UK government papers showing that the UK Labour government is planning to cut investment in apprenticeships and training places south of the border - Glasgow SNP MSP Sandra White said it was yet another example of the depths of deceit Labour would go to with voters in Glasgow.

According to the Observer front page splash today whilst Gordon Brown and his ministers have been suggesting raising investment in training, skills and apprenticeships behind the scenes they are preparing some £350m of cuts for 2010-11 that will slash the number of training places on offer by hundreds of thousands. Gordon Brown was making such a pledge as recently as last Friday in Glasgow.

These cuts contrast starkly with the investment the Scottish Government is making in apprenticeship places throughout Scotland.

Commenting Sandra White said: “These papers just highlight the depths of hypocrisy Labour have descended to. On Friday we had Gordon Brown promising that Labour would invest in jobs – now their position is more like ‘Fewer Jobs for All’.

“It reflects their deceit on so many other issues in the Glasgow North East by-election campaign. They scaremonger about a non-existent rail line whilst their London transport minister – already caught out dissembling on cuts – plans to cut an existing Glasgow rail link.

“They scaremonger about cuts to local government when it is the SNP which has increased council funding after a decline in spending by the previous Labour-led Executive and in the face of £500 million cuts by the Labour government in London.

“These leaks showing Labour deceit are a clear sign that Labour continue to take Glasgow and Glasgow voters for granted.  They believe they can lie to them and still get their votes.

"The fact is that it is the SNP which is delivering on apprentices. Since the beginning of the recession we have been used all the flexibility in the system to adapt our approach and tailor schemes to help young people and businesses.

"This has resulted in Scotland having the most comprehensive packages available for Modern Apprentices in the UK. Whilst Labour cuts it is the SNP investing in developing the skills of people working in sectors that are the key to building our way back to economic growth.

Notes:

1. The Observer article can be read here: Secret Labour plan to axe spending on training for young people

2. Below is a full list of announcements made through ScotAction to support the Apprenticeship Programme during the last six months as part of the £16 million to create an additional 7,800 Modern Apprentices:

• launch in June of the 'Adopt an Apprentice' scheme where employers can receive a helping hand of £2000 to employ a redundant apprentice
• funding 2 for 1 Life Science Apprenticeships to help support this key sector
• creation of an additional 170 early years modern apprenticeships
• launch Safeguard an Apprentice to retain 'at risk' apprentices
• launch Invest in an Apprentice to recruit new apprentices or upskill existing members of staff
• making £6 million available to fund an additional 1,000 apprentices in Glasgow to support the Commonwealth Games legacy
• funding for 50 apprentices in the creative sector
• funding for 100 apprenticeships for Home Energy and Efficiency in partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy.
• funding 500 apprenticeships in Hospitality and Tourism sector
• funding 410 for Food and Drink industry
• funding for 460 Financial and Business services apprenticeships
• funding for 250 Health and Social Care apprenticeships
• funding for 170 places for the Early Years and Childcare
• funding for 2000 apprentices for the Retail Sector
• funding for 600 Management apprentices