MESSAGE FROM TAVISH SCOTT ON THE BUDGET
Last week I wrote to party members to state our Liberal Democrat position on
the Scottish Budget. You may remember that I was clear that the Budget
proposed by the SNP was not an adequate response to the economic trauma
facing Scotland.
Nonetheless, I indicated that our door remained open for discussions. You
may have heard that serious negotiations took place over the weekend. As a
result, an agreement has been published today that allows the Liberal
Democrats to support the Budget.
We made a series of economic proposals to improve the Budget.
We have been working hard to look beyond "tomorrow". Too rarely do
politicians think beyond tomorrow's headlines. But the recession is not
going to be over tomorrow, or any time soon. So we have been working hard
for long term benefits for Scotland.
We were clear from the outset that everything that the Government does
should be focussed on tackling the recession that has hit Scotland.
We proposed an Economic Storm Rescue Plan. Our proposals bring triple
benefits: they lock in long term benefits to Scotland and the economy; they
will help the Government meet its aims; and they line up the resources for
permanent tax cuts for low and middle income earners.
Specifically:
- The SNP have changed their position and will now engage with the Calman Commission. This is the best way to get extra powers for the Scottish
Parliament. It will allow, for example, the Forth Bridge to be paid for
without jeopardising every other transport project in Scotland. Professor
John Curtice told the BBC on Sunday that this concession could be the "most
interesting long-term consequence of all of this."
Lord (Jim) Wallace, Liberal Democrat representative on the Calman Commission
said: "I welcome this truly significant and progressive move. As a result
of the new position of the Scottish Government there is now assembled a
powerful coalition for change."
- The SNP have changed their position on the Scottish Futures Trust. They
will now give the quango a funding stream to restart school building in
Scotland. Local councils and the construction industry had criticised the
SFT for paralysing investment.
Councillor Jenny Dawe, the Liberal Democrat leader of Edinburgh, has
welcomed this move. She said today, "A proper programme of support for
school building will be a very helpful move. So far, this has been missing
from the Government's plans."
- The SNP have changed their mind and agreed to seek a Finance Sector Jobs Task Force to protect the financial services industry in Scotland, which is
so important for our economy.
- The SNP have agreed to a new strategic review of Government spending.
This will identify where resources are not being used to support the
economy. It will unlock the resources that could pay for permanent tax cuts
for low and middle earners.
- The SNP have changed their position and will ask their Council of
Economic Advisers to make recommendations on the Budget to help it meet the
challenge of the recession.
Tavish Scott MSP
Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
Moray Liberal Democrats