ACADEMICS WARN OVER CALMAN CHANGES

ACADEMICS WARN OVER CALMAN CHANGES

FINANCIAL MEASURES ARE LONDON PARTIES’ POLL TAX ON SCOTLAND

The SNP has seized on a warning that public spending cuts would be
greater in Scotland under Calman commission’s financial plans to
change devolution.

Professors Andrew Hughes Hallett and Drew Scott have warned that
Calman changes will have a "more severe" effect in Scotland than in
other parts of the UK, and that recommendations from the commission
could result in a 25% cut in spending, lost income tax revenue and an
inability to use higher VAT to compensate.

Commenting on the findings, SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said:

“The Calman financial proposals have been overtaken by events, and
exposed as the London parties’ Poll Tax – with Labour, the Tories and
the Lib Dems all planning to impose this financial whammy on Scotland
when what we need is real financial responsibility.

“The emergency Budget last week shows why Calman couldn’t work, while
the GERS figures showing a Scottish surplus of £1.3 billion compared
to a UK-wide deficit of £48.9 billion completes the case for Scotland
to be responsible for our own resources.

“With the Tory/LibDem budget threatening Scottish growth and the
Labour party unable to protect Scotland – having created the mess in
the first place – only financial responsibility and independence for
Scotland can help Scotland’s economy grow more strongly and build
recovery.”

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