The SNP in government is committed to working harder and smarter for the people of Scotland – says Greenock and Inverclyde’s MSP, Stuart McMillan.
On the first day back after summer recess, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison MSP gave a statement to MSPs outlining the financial challenge facing the Scottish Budget, following the new UK Labour Government plans to make billions of spending cuts.
Commenting after the Finance Secretary’s statement, Stuart said:
“The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government outlined today how prolonged Westminster austerity, the economic damage of Brexit, a global pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the cost of living crisis have all placed enormous and growing pressure on the public finances.
“In the face of these challenges, the Scottish Government has stepped in to support people and services where it has been needed most – on social security, health, and public services. This is however without equivalent UK Government action and their repeated failure to properly review the adequacy of funding settlements.
“The Scottish Government now faces significant cuts from the Labour Government at Westminster. This new era of austerity means tough decisions lie ahead, as Scotland faces the biggest financial challenge since the Scottish Parliament reconvened.
“The First Minister warned during the General Election that Labour was not being straight about the state of the UK’s public finances, and that by sticking to Tory spending plans, they would have to make billions in cuts. Weeks later, the Chancellor announced £22 billion of spending cuts.
“As a consequence, the Scottish Government must take fiscal action, otherwise spending will continue to outstrip available funding. This is not sustainable and tough decisions will be required.
“However, the Finance Secretary made clear today that the SNP will continue to do all it can to support people who are faced with the absolute worst consequences of well over a decade of Westminster austerity and cuts to public services.
“Labour are not bringing about any positive change; instead, they’re making life even harder for households. More austerity does not help end austerity. The Prime Minister has also recently highlighted that the upcoming Autumn Budget will be “painful”.
“Were Scotland an independent country, we would not be paying the price for bad decisions taken at Westminster – whether that be years of austerity cuts, Brexit, or reckless mini budgets – all of which have taken money out of the economy and funding for public services.”
