DARLING'S LAST CHANCE TO DELIVER FOR SCOTLAND

DARLING'S LAST CHANCE TO DELIVER FOR SCOTLAND

SNP PREVIEW BUDGET – INVEST IN SCOTLAND

STATEMENT MUST FOCUS ON FAIR FUEL, JOBS, RECOVERY AND ENERGY

Commenting in advance of the UK Budget tomorrow (Wednesday), SNP Treasury
Spokesman Stewart Hosie MP has called on the UK Government to freeze fuel
duty and back SNP measures to stabilise fuel prices. SNP activists have
been campaigning across Scotland for fair fuel prices - delivering 60,000
copies of the attached card.

The SNP are pressurising the UK Government to rule out further cuts to
Scotland’s budget on top of the £814m reduction already planned and give
greater clarity over future Scottish budgets to allow the Scottish
Government to plan more effectively for the next Scottish spending review.
The SNP will continue their campaign for accelerated capital spending.

Commenting, SNP Treasury Spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said:

“Rocketing fuel prices are putting a massive strain on household budgets
across Scotland.

“Not only do sky high petrol prices affect motorists, they also have a
knock on effect hauliers and drives up the prices of basic goods in shops.

“As the price of filling up an average family car heads towards the £100
mark, the SNP are saying enough is enough. At this Budget, the Chancellor
must freeze fuel duty with immediate effect and back the SNP’s proposal
for a fuel duty regulator which would even out these massive price
increases.

“With the General Election looming, this Budget could be Alistair
Darling’s last chance to deliver for Scotland. Until Scotland becomes
independent, the UK Treasury controls many essential policy levers. This
must be a Budget which delivers jobs for communities across Scotland, not
good headlines for Labour.

“The Chancellor must rule out rises in National Insurance - taxing jobs in
the midst of a recession is absolute madness.

“He also needs to continue with the fiscal stimulus. The UK is the only G7
to be removing it next year – risking a double dip recession. Cutting
Scotland’s budget in the midst of recession is absolutely the wrong thing
to do. He should rule out further cuts to the Scottish budget so the
Scottish Government can continue to support jobs and invest in long term,
sustainable recovery.

“The SNP Scottish Government has done everything in its power to help the
Scottish economy through this Downing Street downturn – but the UK
Treasury must match this effort. They must offer greater clarity over
future budgets so the SNP Government can invest for the long term good in
Scotland.”