IRVINE MP Brian Donohoe has set out what he and his party thinks the Government should do today to kick-start Scotland and the UK's economy on the day of the Queen's Speech.

The MP said: "An alternative to what this failing coalition Government are going to be setting out through the Queen's Speech today would benefit my constituents and the UK as a whole." The alternatives the MP refers to would be: - A Jobs Bill which would get people back to work - A Consumer Bill to tackle rip-off energy companies - A Banking Bill to support businesses by improving lending - A Finance Bill which would cut VAT The MP continued: "The Con-Dem coalition have failed to get Scotland's economy or indeed any economy moving but are hitting people across Scotland who are struggling to make ends meet. In my constituency unemployment and particularly, youth unemployment are very high which could have a horrendous effect on future generations as it has in the past.

"The Jobs Bill would create real, paid jobs for those who have been unemployed for two years and a paid job for young people out of work for 6 months - this would be funded by reversing this government's decision to stop tax relief on pension contributions for people earning over �150,000 being limited to 20%." Further details on the alternatives given by the MP stated: The Consumers Bill would tackle the fact that since the last election in 2010 energy bills have risen by �300 a year and also tackle the hidden costs and charges many Scottish pensioners find wiping out chunks of their pensions. This would be achieved by abolishing Ofgem and creating a tough new energy watchdog with the power to force energy suppliers to pass on price cuts, tackling the worst offending pension schemes by capping their charges at a maximum one per cent and amending legislation and regulation to force all pension funds to offer the same simple transparent charging structure.

The Finance Bill would stop the cut to the 50p rate of income tax for those on the highest incomes to reverse cuts to tax credits. Reintroduce the 10p rate of income tax, paid for by taxing mansions worth over �2m. Reverse the Tory-led Government's damaging VAT rise now for a temporary period - which would be a �450 boost for a couple with children. Provide a one ear cut in VA to 5% on home improvements, repairs and maintenance - to help homeowners and small businesses. Put in place a one year national insurance tax break for every small firm which takes on extra workers - helping small businesses to grow and create jobs.

Brian Donohoe commented further: "In the final quarter of 2012, the three banks which dominate the Scottish small business banking market - RBS, Lloyds and Clydesdale - all reduced their lending to business. The fall in this lending occurred despite both RBS and Lloyds utilising the Government's flagship Funding for Lending scheme and follows Project Merlin's failure to stimulate lending to small businesses in Scotland.

"What was required was a Queen's Speech that responded to the deep problems that not just Scotland but the whole of the UK are facing - young people who can't find work, small businesses that can't get a loan from the bank and the cost of living crisis that so many families face. Instead, what we got was another toothless lot of proposals which does little to change the real need that people are finding themselves in today. "Last year we had a legislative programme from the Scottish Government that had no big ideas and today we had another Queen's Speech from the UK Government that was as equally empty!"