06 Dec 1999
Scottish Secretary John Reid today highlighted Government action to tackle poverty gaps in the UK wherever they exist – not just between the North and South, or between nations and regions, but alsowithin nations and regions.
Commenting on today's publication of the report to the Prime Minister 'Sharing the Nation's Prosperity',Mr Reid said:
"Today's report is a snapshot of the UK's prosperity. It shows that the North-South divide still exists, but that economic variations within nations and regions are much wider than betweenthem. That is why the Government is focusing its policies on attacking poverty and unemployment wherever they are found, irrespective of geography.
"Scotland is already benefiting directly from Government policies that focus on fairness and opportunity:
Scotland gets its fair share of public expenditure, receiving almost one fifth more per head than other parts of the UK.
Government policies to help the less prosperous bring greater benefit to less well off regions in Scotland - for example, the National Minimum Wage, the Working Families Tax Credit, a guaranteed minimum pension and the biggest ever increase in child benefit ensure everyone gets a fair deal.
Almost 13,000 young Scots have secured sustained jobs through the New Deal and unemployment is at its lowest level since 1976.
By working in close partnership with the Scottish Government the Government is taking joined-up action to tackle social exclusion and need - for example, through the Joint Ministerial Committee on Poverty.
"Every Scot, wherever they live, deserves the chance to share in the nation's prosperity. We are working to make this happen."