Nicola Sturgeon sets out austerity alternative

Nicola Sturgeon has set out her alternative to what she described as the coalition UK government's "failed" austerity policies.

The Scottish first minister told a gathering of academics at University College London that an increase in public spending of 0.5% across the UK would tackle the budget deficit while freeing £180bn to invest in infrastructure, innovation and growing the economy.

Ms Sturgeon said this approach would protect the social fabric of society: "We could take a different approach to the crude cuts that reduce work incentives and impact directly on disabled people and families with children".