SCOTTISH BUDGET PUTS FRONTLINE SERVICES AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY FIRST

Linda Fabiani MSP has described the Scottish Government’s budget for 2010/11 as a strong response to the recession, that will protect crucial public services and put jobs and economic recovery front and centre.

SNP MSP for Central Scotland, Ms Fabiani said:

“This is a budget that will deliver for communities like East Kilbride, helping them to recover from the worst effects of the recession. It provides investment in jobs creation, training and student places, protects spending on frontline health and education services, and gives a helping hand to households with a third year of frozen council tax, a boiler scrappage scheme, a new home insulation package and another cut in prescription charges.

“Neighbourhoods across the East Kilbride area will benefit from a Post Office diversification fund, to help local post office branches expand and survive, and increased thresholds for the Small Business Bonus Scheme which has been so vital to helping small business owners, employees and consumers during the recession.

“The worst economic conditions for generations and an £800 million cut from Labour in Westminster mean that some tough choices have had to be made, but the Cabinet Secretary for Finance has focused on the priorities that matter to people in East Kilbride and across Scotland.”

Responding to Labour attacks on the budget, Ms Fabiani said that opposition politicians such as Andy Kerr are living in an economic fantasy land:

“In the face of the worst financial settlement from Westminster since devolution began, it would be nice if all parties could pull together to get the best results for the Scottish people.

“Instead, Andy Kerr and Labour prefer to insult everyone’s intelligence with their fantasy claims that there is more money than ever to spend. They are so mired in negativity and hypocrisy that they even voted against the boiler scrappage scheme that they themselves called for!

“Labour’s annual silly game-playing at budget time has gone beyond a joke. It’s about time they grew up and backed the SNP Government in making the right choices for Scotland.”

Details of the Scottish Government’s budget can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/02/03151658