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Scottish independence: PM urges Union supporters to speak up Scottish independence: David Cameron confirms £500m Glasgow investment
(about 2 hours later)
Prime Minister David Cameron will urge the "silent majority" who support Scotland staying in the UK to speak up. Glasgow and its surrounding area are to benefit from investment worth hundreds of millions of pounds, according to the prime minister.
During a speech in Scotland ahead of the September independence referendum, he will say "the noise of the nationalist few" is already well known. David Cameron said the money under the City Deals scheme would help pay for roads, bus services, employment programmes and an airport rail link.
Blair Jenkins, head of the Yes Scotland campaign for independence, said the PM should be more concerned by the "struggling majority". Mr Cameron made the announcement ahead of a speech in Perth.
He said Tory austerity cuts were pushing more Scots into poverty. The Scottish government said it had made substantial investments in Glasgow in recent years.
Ahead of Mr Cameron's speech, at a rally with Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, it also emerged that Glasgow and the surrounding area looks set to benefit from hundreds of millions of pounds in new investment, under the UK government's "city deal" scheme. It was announced last year that Glasgow would be the first city in Scotland to benefit from City Deal status - an agreement between the UK Treasury and a city region.
The programme, which provides cash for infrastructure projects has already been set up in several English regions. City Deals have already been put in place in Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.
In his speech, the prime minister is expected to say: "We've heard the noise of the nationalist few, but now it is time for the voices of the silent majority to be heard. Mr Cameron has now said that the UK government is to invest £500m as part of the Glasgow agreement, and called on the Scottish government to match the commitment.
Local authorities in the Clyde Valley area will also contribute £130m, Mr Cameron said.
The UK government has claimed the investment could create 28,000 new jobs over the next 20 years, and could eventually generate around £1.75bn of economic growth in the city every year.
A joint article by Mr Cameron and Chief Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander in the Evening Times newspaper said: "Glasgow plans to create a £1.1bin infrastructure fund that will support projects such as the city centre-airport rail link, major improvements to the region's roads and bus network, and the development of new employment sites.
"The UK government is offering £500m of new funding to support this genuinely ambitious proposal, with local authorities in the region providing a further £130m.
"Building on this significant investment, we are inviting the Scottish government to match the UK government contribution.
"This vote of confidence in Glasgow will also help generate private sector money so businesses can flourish."
In exchange, Glasgow will take active measures to further reduce unemployment and help move people in low-paid jobs into higher-paid ones, Mr Cameron and Mr Alexander said.
Their article continued: "These are genuine powers that will change the fortunes of people across the region by creating new jobs, improving transport networks, boosting businesses and providing skills to young people and the long-term unemployed."
The announcement was welcomed by Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson.
He said: "This is fantastic news for Glasgow and the Clyde Valley. It will help us to move to the next level in terms of economic growth for the city region. We have been working closely together with the UK government on this project for some time, and I am delighted to say it has borne fruit.
"The City Deal will bring tens of thousands of jobs, encourage growth and improve our competitiveness to bring benefits across the whole of the Clyde Valley area for the next 20 years."
A spokeswoman for the Scottish government said it had tried several times to "engage with the UK government to secure the best outcome for Glasgow", and looked forward to seeing the details of the city deal.
The spokeswoman said: "This represents £25m per annum over the next 20 years. The Scottish government has been making substantial investment in Glasgow over the years, including over £380m towards the Commonwealth Games.
"We will be working to ensure this UK proposal dovetails with the work of the Scottish Cities Alliance and our existing investment in infrastructure.
"The Scottish government is working individually and collectively with all Scotland's cities to optimise economic growth for the benefit of the whole of Scotland."
'Silent majority'
Meanwhile, in his speech in Scotland on Thursday afternoon Mr Cameron will urge the "silent majority" who support Scotland staying in the UK to speak up.
During the speech, ahead of the September independence referendum, he will say "the noise of the nationalist few" is already well known.
He is expected to say: "We've heard the noise of the nationalist few, but now it is time for the voices of the silent majority to be heard.
"The silent majority who feel happy being part of the UK; the silent majority who don't want the risks of going it alone; the silent majority who worry about what separation would mean for their children and grandchildren."The silent majority who feel happy being part of the UK; the silent majority who don't want the risks of going it alone; the silent majority who worry about what separation would mean for their children and grandchildren.
"With 77 days to go, we need the voices of the many to ring out across the land. For each one to realise that they are not alone because there are millions just like them.""With 77 days to go, we need the voices of the many to ring out across the land. For each one to realise that they are not alone because there are millions just like them."
'Patriotic Scots' Mr Cameron will also argue that it is possible to be both a patriotic Scot and to want the country to stay in the UK.
Mr Cameron will also say: "And this is how we rouse them to find their voice. Blair Jenkins, head of the Yes Scotland campaign for independence, said the PM should be more concerned by the "struggling majority" than the "silent majority", and said Tory austerity cuts were pushing more Scots into poverty.
"We tell them: We've achieved so much together, we're safer together, we're better off together, we've got the best of both worlds together. Mr Jenkins said: "David Cameron is seriously out of touch if he thinks there is a silent majority in Scotland in favour of the Tories and their austerity agenda.
"And finally let's tell them this: You can be proudly Scottish and want to stay in the UK."
The prime minister will also tell the rally: "Too many people in this country have been made to feel that you can't be a proud Scot and say 'no thanks'. You've got to choose between the Saltire and the Union flag.
"That is wrong. Loving your country means wanting the best for it - and for Scotland that is staying in the UK.
"So yes - you can be a patriotic Scot and vote 'No'."
Blair Jenkins from Yes Scotland said: "David Cameron is seriously out of touch if he thinks there is a silent majority in Scotland in favour of the Tories and their austerity agenda.
"The reality is there is a very vocal majority against David Cameron governing Scotland, with just a single Tory MP here."The reality is there is a very vocal majority against David Cameron governing Scotland, with just a single Tory MP here.
"Thanks to the Westminster system, another 30,000 children in Scotland have been pushed into poverty because of Tory welfare cuts - yet the Westminster parties want to spend up to £4bn a year on new Trident nuclear weapons."Thanks to the Westminster system, another 30,000 children in Scotland have been pushed into poverty because of Tory welfare cuts - yet the Westminster parties want to spend up to £4bn a year on new Trident nuclear weapons.
"Nothing better illustrates the need for a 'Yes' vote in September, so that we can put bairns before bombs.""Nothing better illustrates the need for a 'Yes' vote in September, so that we can put bairns before bombs."
Mr Jenkins added: "The majority David Cameron should be concerned about is the struggling majority, the very many people in Scotland who are faced with low salaries and the rising costs of living, and who will vote 'Yes' to a fairer and more prosperous Scotland."Mr Jenkins added: "The majority David Cameron should be concerned about is the struggling majority, the very many people in Scotland who are faced with low salaries and the rising costs of living, and who will vote 'Yes' to a fairer and more prosperous Scotland."