The UK Government’s Spring Budget has failed to deliver the funding Scotland needs for public services, infrastructure and cost of living measures.
The Chancellor had a chance to boost economic growth, create jobs and fund a just transition to net zero. However, the Budget has provided less in Barnett consequentials from health than in-year health consequentials of 2023-24, and failed to deliver more capital funding for infrastructure.
Scotland let down by Spring Budget
The UK Spring Budget is nothing short of a betrayal of public services across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Commenting, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:
“With the cost of living crisis resulting in people needing more support than ever, I expected the Chancellor to make a sensible decision to ease pressures on services by providing more funding for capital. This would have helped support our NHS and the delivery of more affordable housing in Renfrewshire, but it would also have created jobs and economic growth, as well as helping secure a just transition to net zero.
“However, with his last roll of the dice before the election, the Chancellor fell hopelessly short.
“Yesterday’s statement provides not a single penny more for capital funding – and the Barnett consequentials from health that were signalled by the Chancellor are actually less than the in-year health consequentials of 2023-24 and less than what is needed to address the pressures we face.
“Public services are on their knees after over a decade of Tory austerity and they are now being sacrificed to deliver unsustainable tax cuts. I am sure many will be looking at this Spring Budget and wondering how on earth they can survive.
“My constituents across Renfrewshire North and West have once again been badly let down by the UK Government. With Sir Keir Starmer confirming that Labour will follow the Tory’s tax and spend rules once in power, it is clear that Westminster offers no solution to working families across Scotland.
“Westminster’s dangerous approach to funding public services do not represent the values of the people of Scotland. We need independence so that the people of Scotland can have a government with the financial levers necessary to properly protect and invest in our NHS.”