IRRESPONSIBLE” ONE YEAR ELECTION BUDGET LEAVES UNCERTAINTY OVER SERVICES AND JOBS IN FIFE

Labour MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, Claire Baker, has criticised today’s one-year budget from the SNP as “a bad deal for Fifers”.
While welcoming the continued commitment to the new Forth crossing, she said that John Swinney’s one-year “election budget” was “irresponsible” and would leave Council services and businesses uncertain about their financial future and would impact on job security.
She criticised the Government’s smoke and mirrors approach to Council funding and called for Fife Council to come forward with the impact of today’s budget on local services.
She also criticised the Government’s failure to bring forward Labour’s promise of a Scottish Living Wage of at least £7.15 an hour for the lowest paid, a National Care Service and tackle youth unemployment, which has increased under the SNP.
Labour has called for the Scottish Government to follow the Welsh Assembly Government and bring forward a three year budget.
Labour MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, Claire Baker, said:
“The SNP’s one-year election budget is a bad deal for Fifers.  It will leave a feeling of uncertainty hanging over local services and jobs.
“People want to know whether they will continue to receive services that they depend on and whether their jobs will be secure.  John Swinney’s decision not to address any of these long-term questions is simply irresponsible.
“The Welsh Assembly Government is to come forward with a three year budget so why is John Swinney unable to do the same?
“The SNP’s smoke and mirrors approach to Council funding risks hitting services that people depend on locally and I would urge Fife Council to come forward with the full extent of the impact of today’s budget on services.
“A Labour Government in Scotland would use this budget to provide low paid workers with a Living Wage and take action to secure training and employment opportunities for young people.
“Yes, tough choices need to be made- there will have to be pay restraint for example- but we need to protect people and help them through this difficult time.
“That’s why we are committed to delivering a National Care Service, a Living Wage for the lowest paid and guaranteeing training, work or volunteering for young people.
“Scotland deserves better than the SNP’s politically motivated budget.”
Labour’s recent pledges include:
- A commitment to a Scottish Living wage of at least £7.15 an hour across all of the public sector, including councils and use of procurement to encourage the private sector to follow suit.
- A guarantee to all 16-18 year olds of a place in education, training, work or volunteering.
-The guarantee of an apprenticeship place to any qualified school leaver who wants one.
- The creation of a new National Care Service to end the postcode lottery of care provision in Scotland.
- A Scottish Future Jobs Fund with the aim of creating 10,000 jobs or training places for young people in Scotland.
- To train thousands of unemployed teachers to become part of a national literacy and numeracy drive that will be rolled out across Scotland.