SNP RESPOND TO EMERGENCY BUDGET

SNP RESPOND TO EMERGENCY BUDGET

Responding to the Emergency Budget delivered by Chancellor George Osborne today (Tuesday), SNP Treasury Spokesman, Stewart Hosie MP, called for a long term responsible approach to growth in Scotland.  

Commenting, Mr Hosie said:

“After 13 years of Labour irresponsibility, there is no doubt that the UK’s finances are in a serious mess.

“Now, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats are embarking on an irresponsible programme of cuts.

“While the Budget contained a number of welcome measures – including consideration of a rural fuel derogation, freezing whisky duty and restoring the link between pensions and earnings – it takes massive amounts of money out of the economy risking a double dip recession.

“What we need now is a responsible approach and a plan which reduces the deficit gradually and generates long term growth.

“The SNP Government has already taken action to make efficiencies and plan for the future with the powers available to it but these powers are limited.

“If the Scottish economy is to grow in the long term, the Scottish Parliament must have the financial levers to make that growth happen. 

"While we must wait till October to see the impact on public spending in Scotland, it is clear that we face deep cuts to Scottish spending and we must all work together, across the country, to ensure we maintain growth against the background of these significant cuts and tax rises.”