UK GOVERNMENT “MUST DELIVER ON ELECTION PLEDGES”
Marion Fellows, SNP MP for Motherwell and Wishaw, has this week welcomed the Scottish Government’s budget which includes record spending of £15bn for health and social care.
But the Scottish Government’s has had to estimate its budget due to the UK Government setting its budget in March. Scottish Government Ministers weren’t notified of the UK Government’s budget day and found out after it was announced in the media.
Spending is based on commitments made by the Tories during the General Election. If the UK Government does not meet its election pledges, then the Scottish Government’s budget will have to be revised.
Key pledges include:
- Record funding of £15bn for Health and Social Care – including £117m in mental health;
- £800m and an additional £300m to build more homes beyond the 50,000 target of this Parliament.
- £3.4bn – part of which will be towards the new Scottish Child Payment which will lift 30,000 children out of poverty.
- £270m in rail investment and an extra £16m on concessionary travel.
- £37m extra for Policing.
- A real terms increase of 4.3% for local authorities.
- For the third consecutive year, more than half of Scottish income tax payers will pay less tax than if they lived elsewhere in the UK.
Commenting, Mrs Fellows said:
“The SNP Scottish Government’s budget has committed to invest in the public services we care, build the homes we need, and create the jobs and transport infrastructure that will allow North Lanarkshire and Scotland to thrive.
“The Scottish budget is set against the backdrop of heightened uncertainty and risk, created by the UK Government following their decision to delay the UK budget until March. These are based on commitments made during the general election. Boris Johnson must now deliver on these promises in full.
“The SNP is listening to communities and delivering on their needs. Our NHS and mental health services are being put to the forefront of our budget with record £15bn investment. The new Scottish Child Payment will lift 30,000 children out of poverty. More money is being invested in housing so we can exceed our already ambitious target of 50,000.
“This is a budget for all of Scotland which is being delivered through a fair tax system where for the third consecutive year, more than half of Scottish income tax payers will pay less tax than if they lived elsewhere in the UK.”