The SNP has said the Tory government must devolve financial and borrowing powers to the Scottish Parliament to secure Scotland’s economic recovery from Covid-19.
Speaking at Prime Ministers Questions, Ian Blackford (pictured) challenged Boris Johnson to back the recommendations of the Scottish Government’s Economic Advisory Group, which has called for an accelerated review of the Devolved Fiscal Framework to ensure Holyrood has the borrowing powers and access to capital needed to fuel Scotland’s coronavirus recovery.
The SNP Westminster Leader said failing to devolve these powers and ensure the necessary funds would “put Scotland’s economic recovery at risk”.
This morning, the Fraser of Allander institute warned a second wave of covid-19 could delay Scotland’s recovery until 2024 – and said the scale of the economic challenge could see a “raft of redundancies and business closures” without financial support.
Commenting after PMQs, SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP said:
“Boris Johnson must not put Scotland’s economic recovery at risk.
“The UK faces the worst health and economic emergency in decades – and it requires an unprecedented response.
“It is absolutely vital that the Scottish Parliament has the financial powers and funds necessary to fuel a strong recovery and protect Scotland’s budget.
“Scotland can make different choices for an investment-led recovery – but we can only do it with the borrowing powers and access to capital needed to stimulate our economy.
“Experts are warning that a second wave could delay the recovery until 2024 – and that there will be a raft of redundancies and business closures without financial support.
“It would be completely unacceptable if the Tories were to leave the Scottish Parliament to respond to this huge economic crisis with one hand tied behind its back – by refusing to devolve the powers needed and ushering in another decade of Tory austerity cuts.”
