NO ALTERNATIVES TO SNP BUDGET

NO ALTERNATIVES TO SNP BUDGET

STARK REALITY OF LONDON CUT TO SCOTTISH BUDGET

Opposition parties have failed to put forward alternative plans for the Scottish budget – as the finance committee’s influential report is published.

The cross party report puts forward no alternative plans for Glasgow Airport Rail Link, or any other spending proposals and accepts the impact of cuts this year and in coming years on Scotland’s budget – something some opposition parties still reject.

SNP MSP and Finance Committee member Joe FitzPatrick said this report should bring an end to opposition cries over GARL.

“Labour can no longer run and hide from the reality of cuts in spending this year and in the years ahead. Their fiscal fantasy land has come to an end.

“The Committee has accepted that the Scottish Government’s budget has been cut – a fact of life the Labour party should get used to as it was their Government that put the cuts in place.

“It is not good enough to shout and scream from the sidelines. With no alternative proposals coming forward the empty bluster of the Labour party has been exposed.

“All Stephen Purcell’s shouting has got him no where – Labour in Parliament have no alternative and no ideas.

“What this budget shows clearly is the benefit that could come to Scotland with full fiscal powers of independence.

"Instead of hanging on for the Chancellor in London to decide if we can invest additional capital in social housing and recovery we could be well on the way to seeing those houses built.

"Instead of looking at what projects have to go because of London's capital cuts we could use the borrowing powers of a normal nation to invest through the recession and build recovery.”