SNP to reveal Scottish budget
As Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney prepares to reveal the SNP’s first budget since its massive election victory, opposition leaders say the party must prove it can afford its pledges.
The SNP has promised the people of Scotland a five-year council tax freeze, a commitment to keep free personal care for the elderly and maintaining 1,000 extra police officers.
Alex Salmond’s party has a majority of MSPs in the Scottish parliament for the first time following May’s convincing election victory.
But with cuts in the Scottish budget from Westminster, opposition parties say the SNP must prove it can afford to pay for its promises.
Finance Secretary John Swinney has published figures showing efficiency savings targets for the past year have been met. Public services saved £2.2bn in 2010-11, £673m more than the £1.6m target.
Mr Swinney said: “Public bodies are required to deliver efficiencies of at least 3 per cent this financial year.
“Set against the deep cuts to Scotland’s budget from Westminster, the spending review for the next three years will intensify our focus on value for money and continue to squeeze every penny out of every pound to get the best, most efficient and effective public services.”
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union plans to lobby MSPs in the Scottish parliament before the statement, demanding an “alternative” to cuts in public sector jobs and pay.
Lynn Henderson, PCS Scottish secretary, said: “Alex Salmond and John Swinney have in the last week said that they are for investment in Scotland, that they are for public services and they are for public sector jobs. It is time that to put the money where the mouth is and protect Scottish public sector jobs, pay and pensions.”
Labour finance spokesman Richard Baker MSP said the SNP cannot keep blaming Westminster. He added: “They’ve known for a long time now what sums they would have in their budget. Nor can they pass the buck on to local government in Scotland.”
Conservative economy spokesman Gavin Brown MSP said: “We will be particularly concerned about any punitive tax increases they attempt to introduce, such as the tax on high street stores which they first announced last year.”
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