SNP offers lifeline to UK transport spending with pledge to use influence to "end austerity"

The SNP today pledges to "end the Westminster cuts agenda" with £140bn extra for infrastructure and public services across the UK.

The Scottish nationalists say the deficit and national debt can be cleared on "a slightly slower path" to allow "at least £140bn extra to be invested in infrastructure and support for business, in protecting our public services and in policies to help lift people out of poverty".

The SNP manifesto for the General Election says there would be an overall 0.5% increase in departmental spending each year. A large chunk, £24bn, or 17%, would be for the NHS. The SNP did not highlight in a press release transport, but focused capital spending on housing, with an annual UK target of 100,000 affordable homes.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said she would resist any attempts by the Conservatives to undermine the Scottish Government. David Cameron had said earlier he would make sure that there are "no unforeseen detrimental consequences to the rest of the country from Scottish devolution".

Under the Conservatives, the Cabinet Office and Treasury would "conduct an annual review of the impact of all devolved policies on the rest of the country". Scottish transport policy was one area Cameron singled out as having a potential impact on other parts of the UK.