CASE FOR ECONOMIC POWERS NOW "UNDENIABLE".

CASE FOR ECONOMIC POWERS NOW "UNDENIABLE".

WE’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN OUR OWN ECONOMY SNP MSP Dr Alasdair Allan today called for opposition parties to back full financial powers for the Scottish Parliament as former First Minister’s Henry McLeish and Jack McConnell called for changes to the way the Scottish Parliament and Government is financed. Responding to comments ahead of the 10th anniversary of devolution Dr Allan said; "Ten years into devolution the case for ending the block grant and replacing it with full fiscal powers is now undeniable. “The SNP’s clear constitutional preference is for Scotland to take responsibility for its own affairs through independence. “With former First Ministers Jack McConnell and Henry McLeish acknowledging that we need alternative means of financing Scottish expenditure and a new relationship with England there is now virtually no-one left who believes that the current system is sound or sustainable. “In Scotland we’ve got what it takes to run a strong and prosperous economy and to manage Scotland’s finances in the interests of Scotland. “While others including former first ministers and opposition parties know there is a need for reform it is only the SNP that has a clear vision of how to move Scotland forward by taking responsibility for our own finances. “As we emerge from a UK budget with hugely damaging implications for Scotland’s public services, there has never been a clearer example of the need for Scotland to have full control of our financial affairs.”