The SNP has said that this week’s Scottish Budget tells a tale of two governments with the SNP Government’s Budget delivering real progress and hope after Scotland was treated as an “afterthought” in Labour’s first Budget in power at Westminster.
The SNP has listened carefully to the people of Scotland and is acting on their concerns by:
· Delivering record £21 billion funding for the NHS
· Fixing Labour’s mistakes to support Scotland’s pensioners and lift children out of poverty
· Delivering 8,000 affordable homes
· Increasing investment in Scotland’s culture sector by £34 million
· Delivering the fairest tax system in the UK – with the majority of people in Scotland paying less tax than south of the border
In sharp contrast, Labour’s first budget in power at Westminster showed scant regard for Scotland with the Chancellor’s decision to increase employers’ National Insurance Contributions disproportionately impacting Scotland’s larger public sector.
With the UK Government only partially covering the cost, Scotland’s public services have been left facing a shortfall of hundreds of millions due to Labour’s ill thought through tax hike.
It took the SNP to fix Labour’s decision to axe Winter Heating Payments for 900,000 Scottish pensioners who already face colder and longer winters than elsewhere in the UK.
Again, it took SNP action to tackle child poverty by scrapping the two-child cap after Labour failed to come good on its rhetoric.
SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown MSP said:
“John Swinney’s first Budget as First Minister delivers real progress on the people of Scotland’s priorities – offering hope and putting in place the investment for Scotland to win big in the future.
“People across Scotland have been let down by the UK Labour Government.
“While the UK Government’s Budget treated Scotland as an afterthought – this is a Budget that puts the people of Scotland first.
“We have listened to what people have told us on the NHS – that’s why the SNP is investing record amounts in the health service, making it easier for people to see their GP and bringing down waiting times.
“While Labour cut winter fuel payments, the SNP is introducing universal support and while they push children into poverty with the cruel two-child cap, the SNP will scrap it and give thousands of children a better chance in life.
“Labour promised change, but we have seen little so far, and it is becoming increasingly evident that it doesn’t matter which party is in power, Westminster will always treat Scotland as an afterthought.
“If opposition parties are serious about investing in the NHS, tackling child poverty and helping older people, then they must back this Budget.”
