The SNP has branded new UK government plans to erode devolution “a blatant assault” on the Scottish Parliament’s powers.
The Sunday Mail revealed Labour’s plans for the UK Scotland Office to bypass Holyrood on spending issues, mirroring the Tories’ Levelling Up initiative.
The report suggests £150 million of funding would be available to UK ministers – just one week after the UK government cut to the Winter Fuel Payment saw Scotland losing up to £160 million in funding.
Commenting, SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said:
“Labour – the self-styled party of devolution – has been in power just a few weeks and is already following the Tories’ legacy in undoing it.
“This blatant assault on the hard-fought-for devolution settlement shows the supposed respectful new way of working between the UK and Scottish Governments is not being taken seriously by the Prime Minister.
“The new UK government appears to want Scots to be grateful for Westminster spending money in Scotland.
“The reality is that Scots are taxpayers too – and our budget has consistently been cut because of Westminster austerity.
“Anas Sarwar now needs to come clean – does he back this brazen attack on devolution or will he instruct his MPs to protect Scotland’s Parliament.”
