RESPONDING to the draft budget, Scottish Labour finance spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said the Scottish Government’s draft budget was for the forthcoming election only.
“Scottish Labour are calling for a genuine anti-austerity budget and a long-term plan for Scotland but instead what we have from the SNP is a budget for an election only – short term with all the cuts hidden away.”
Baillie said the finance minister was not trying to end austerity, merely managing it.
“Austerity hidden is not austerity avoided and people deserve to know the truth,” she added.
Tory finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said Swinney had followed the Tories lead and said that, because of new tax-raising powers, the SNP could no longer complain about the budget being too low.
He said: “But if it is still the SNP’s position that the budget is still too low, then the solution is now in their own hands. For years, he (Swinney) has portrayed himself as the prisoner of Westminster austerity, but now that he has been given the key of the door to his cell, he has chosen not to use it.”
Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “The Deputy First Minister has spent his entire political life campaigning for more tax powers, and what does he do when he gets them? Nothing, no change, the same rate.”
Green co-convener Patrick Harvie criticised Swinney for not being “bolder” on energy efficiency: “It’s also a concern that just days after the global deal on climate change in Paris, this budget does not prioritise investment in low carbon infrastructure. The First Minister promised that her Government would be a strong driver of a progressive climate agenda. Today’s draft budget is a world away from that.”
Harvie said it did make sense for Swinney to keep the Scottish rate of income tax at the same level as UK’s as “this devolved power does not allow a more progressive approach.”
Business for Scotland’s Ian McDougall, said: “The UK has for some time lagged behind our European partners in terms of productivity levels and we are delighted that the Scottish Government will continue to invest heavily in the main areas that can increase productivity, namely increased, digital infrastructure, transport and a continued investment in the innovation sector.
Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce Chief executive said: “While the Scottish Government has sensibly refrained from making changes to the Scottish rate of income tax for the coming year, it is notable that businesses have once again become a target for tax rises in Scotland.
“The Scottish Government’s plans to raid Scottish businesses to provide a further £130 million in business rates next year does not sit well with its stated aims of supporting growth, jobs and exports.”
After an emergency meeting of Cosla, Scotland’s umbrella body for local authorities, the president, David O’Neill, said the budget would result in 15,000 job cuts.
“Whatever way they spin it, this is an ‘austerity’ budget of straight political choice. How else could you describe a low spend, low tax budget that will cost 15,000 council jobs equivalent to fifty Tata Steelworks to put that into some context.
“This is a budget that hits the council workforce in terms of job losses, it hits the child in care, it hits the elderly struggling with dementia and the vulnerable adults, all of whom solely rely on the support that only a council can provide.”
Unison Scottish secretary Mike Kirby was also critical of the council tax freeze: “Unison Scotland recognises that Tory austerity restricts the options available in the Spending Review. However, it’s unacceptable that local government is bearing the brunt of cuts yet again. We’re now in the eighth year of the council tax freeze that limits how they can respond – this can’t continue. We need to discuss how to fund council services properly as they play a crucial role in everyone’s health and wellbeing.”
Professor Anton Muscatelli, principal of Glasgow University welcomed the protection of higher education research budget: “While recognising that any budget cut is a challenge we welcome the strong commitment that the Scottish Government has continued to show in higher education both as an end in itself and as a key driver of the Scottish economy.”
Vonnie Sandlan, president of the National Union of Students Scotland said she was concerned about cuts to student grants. She said: “It’s clear that students are in desperate need of fairer funding, and this budget could go further in addressing that, with no proposals to improve the student support system and cash cuts for universities.”
Swinney presents 'Scottish alternative to austerity' in his draft budget
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