A BUDGET TO GET SCOTLAND WORKING - RECOVERY AND SERVICES AT HEART OF BUDGET

A BUDGET TO GET SCOTLAND WORKING - RECOVERY AND SERVICES AT HEART OF BUDGET

‘CAPITAL SPENDING MUST BE BROUGHT FORWARD’

LABOUR IN A SPIN OVER ACCELERATED CAPITAL FUNDING

SNP MSP and Finance Committee member Joe FitzPatrick today welcomed the priority given to economic recovery and public services in the tough decisions taken by Finance Secretary John Swinney in the Scottish Government’s budget.

The budget comes as Scotland faces the first funding cut since devolution. Mr FitzPatrick described it as a budget to get Scotland working from a Scottish Government determined to make Scotland work.

Commenting Mr FitzPatrick said:

“The Scottish Government has faced up to the tough financial settlement delivered by the London Government and delivered a budget that focuses on protecting frontline public services and delivering economic recovery in tough times.

“Today’s budget shows the SNP is committed to economic recovery and to our public services, protecting frontline jobs with increased investment in the NHS and continuing funding for Scotland's police. This is a budget to get Scotland working.

“At a time when Scotland’s budget is in decline, due to cuts in health spending south of the border and cuts enforced in the last UK budget John Swinney has faced up to these challenges.

“Essential investment in the NHS, continued support for people in difficult times through the council tax freeze, support for small business by maintaining the small business bonus, ensuring record police numbers continue and investment in future generations with support for students and training is vital to Scotland’s continued success.

“The SNP’s actions to support Scotland through the recession, bringing forward capital spending last year to invest in housing, communities and enterprise projects has been vital in maintaining economic activity at a difficult time.

“We are still a long way from full recovery and it is essential that the UK Government agrees with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Government’s demands for a further acceleration of capital to allow that investment to continue as the private sector continues on its road to recovery.

“It is also a budget that exposes Labour hypocrisy on this issue. They are attempting to face two ways and only ending up in a spin. They look ridiculous admitting south of the border that there will be cuts whilst trying to deny their existence north of it.

“Iain Gray looks ridiculous as he attacks the acceleration of capital funding today whilst only a few weeks ago welcoming this!”