Liberal Democrat Shadow Finance Secretary Tavish Scott MSP quizzed the First Minister about how he intended to improve business growth in Scotland.

The First Minster gave a statement to the Scottish Parliament about moving Scotland forward.

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

“This morning at a cross-party meeting, the Chief Economist of Lloyds TSB stated that the Scottish economy was slowing and that the SNP's target of matching the UK growth rate target would be achieved as the UK economy contracts. Given his typically ebullient statement, I was surprised that the First Minister didn’t take credit for this.

“The meeting also heard about Scotland's relatively poorer business start up rate. Central to improving our growth rate will be the number of new Scottish businesses that are profitable, successful and still in existence after 3 years.

“As part of the swingeing cuts to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, responsibility for this under the Business Gateway rests now with local authorities - a move that profoundly concerns business.

“I was disappointed that the First Minister failed to explain why these arrangements were still not in place in the Highlands & Islands and the impact that he expected this to have on growth in these areas”