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tv   Verified Live  BBC News  September 3, 2024 3:00pm-3:31pm BST

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ipubfic stc, about the issue of public sector pay rises. that is something that was mentioned by the report into what is adding to pressure on the scottish government because my finances. one of the things she said was this is something that is needed, not a result of the public sector pay rises, there was no pay rises that were necessary. remind us of the different pressures on the scottish government's finances and where some of the responsibility may lie as to why it is any difficult state. it's no secret that there are pressures on the scottish budget and every budget i have been reporting on for the last few years have talked about challenges and difficulties ahead and the snp frames their whole general election campaign saying that if you vote labour,
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you get tory and i will be austerity ahead and that is what they argue and the opposition parties here would say a lot of the problems are of the snp's own making and they are in charge of this budget and they have decided to make generous pay settlements to public sector workers, pay settlements at the scottish fiscal commission would say were not planned for in perhaps the way they should have been. but the result of all this, where the blame lies, that is up where the blame lies, that is up for argument and everyone takes a different position on that but the fact is there is a black hole and cuts on the way and shona robinson wall take topical questions eminently behind me and that is slightly overrunning but we expect her to stand up eminently to give about a 15 minute statement on where she wants to move the money and where she sees the
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necessity for cuts and what things can be delayed and what money can be diverted, but we are expecting this to be a substantial statement detailing quite a bit of money and the newspapers at the weekend were reporting a black hole and cuts of perhaps half £1 billion and the finance secretary, shona robison, says this will have a profound effect on the ability to deliver public services in scotland and we heard that there will be a freeze on all but essential recruitment, things like ambulances and fire, blue line services, they are protected and there will be are protected and there will be a reintroduction of normal fares because right now there has been a trial of off—peak fares for rail but normal rail fares for rail but normal rail fares will be coming back and free bus travel for asylum
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seekers will be cuts but you look at these things individually and think that perhaps individually you are not talking about huge amounts of money, so i think the statement will perhaps have quite a lot of detail if she is going to have to explain how she will get cuts of perhaps half £1 billion. one way i have heard described is that any funding that has not already been paid off is being looked at very closely indeed. the scottish government say they have no choice because of uk government cuts which has had a knock—on effect on the funding available to them and the chancellor, rachel reeves talked about a black hole and the scottish government would argue that has an effect on their block grant and it
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scottish government has argued that the uk is entering a new hero of austerity under the new labour government —— a new era. the scottish liberal democrats say there is less money to spend because of some bad decisions made by the snp government. we decisions made by the snp government.— decisions made by the snp covernment. ~ ., , ., government. we will go straight to holyrood _ government. we will go straight to holyrood to _ government. we will go straight to holyrood to listen _ government. we will go straight to holyrood to listen to - government. we will go straight to holyrood to listen to that - to holyrood to listen to that statement now.— statement now. thank you, presiding — statement now. thank you, presiding — statement now. thank you, statement now. thank you, presiding officer. _ presiding officer. _ statement now. thank you, presiding officer. this - statement now. thank you, presiding officer. this - presiding officer. this government has consistently presiding officer. this government has consistently warned of the significance of warned of the significance of the financial challenge a head. the financial challenge a head. prolonged westminster prolonged westminster austerity, the economic damage austerity, the economic damage of brexit, a global pandemic, of brexit, a global pandemic, the war in ukraine and the cost the war in ukraine and the cost of living crisis have all of living crisis have all alike. placed enormous and growing placed enormous and growing pressure on the public pressure on the public finances. in the last four finances. in the last four years alone, humility of cpi years alone, humility of cpi inflation has seen prices inflation has seen prices increase by 18.9%, diminishing increase by 18.9%, diminishing how fat money will go for how fat money will go for
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households and governments households and governments alike. —— cumulative cpi inflation. the scottish government has stepped in to support people and services in the face of these challenges where it has been needed most, so to health and public services and i set out that aid by 2024 to 2025 budget that we have delivered improvements to the nhs and tackled inequality by delivering more than £1 billion in social services payments and increasing the scottish child payments, helping the families of over 325,000 under 16s you currently receive it, but we have done so without uk government action and that repeated failure to properly review funding settlements. this issue has been acutely felt across the four nations. just last year, the welsh government had to introduce emergency saving measures in order to balance its budget, and in 2022—2023,
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the northern ireland secretary had to draw down from the uk reserve. the new uk labour government has since confirmed to the failures of the past administration, outlining the previous uk government, quoting the chancellor rachel reeves, never fully reflected the impact of inflation in departmental budgets, and the treasury audit has estimated this year's departmental spending budgets are at least £15 billion lower in real terms compared to 2021 spending review plans. the chancellor has set out the 22 billion funding gap inherited from the previous administration and the right minister confirmed that the forthcoming uk budget will be painful, as they seek to address the fiscal position. while it is welcomed that the new uk government has accepted the diagnosis we have given
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four years on the uk's public finances, their solution is sadly looking like an extension of the folly of austerity. i made clear there was a difficult financial outlook and last year's medium term financial strategy. last year's medium term financialstrategy. i last year's medium term financial strategy. i set out the projected and growing gap between forecast funding and planned spending in scotland. at the time, this was forecast to be £1 can balance
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now to ensure we can balance the scottish budget in 2024—25. residing officer, pei continues to be a significant driver of in year pressures, were expected additional costs of up to £0.8 billion in this financial year alone. whilst i welcome the uk government's acceptance of the pay review body recommendations, it acceptance of the pay review body recommendations, it remains to be seen whether the remains to be seen whether the uk government will fully fund uk government will fully fund it. simply, if they do not it. simply, if they do not fully fund the pay deals, it fully fund the pay deals, it will leave a substantial gap will leave a substantial gap between the expectations of the between the expectations of the workforce and the available workforce and the available funding. in addition, we must funding. in addition, we must also recognise that we have a also recognise that we have a larger public sector in larger public sector in scotland relative to the rest scotland relative to the rest of the uk, our public sector of the uk, our public sector workforce will need to evolve workforce will need to evolve to ensure the delivery of high to ensure the delivery of high quality public services within quality public services within continued westminster austerity, and i will set out continued westminster austerity, and i will set out more detail on our approach in more detail on our approach in
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the budget. alongside pay, there are of course other pressures that arise in the year that we must ensure are funded and there are costs that emerge due to natural demand led changes like legal aid, police and fire pensions and the cost of accommodation for ukrainian displaced people. more widely, the budget must still be managed for wider operational pressures, most notably, nhs boards are having to address the significant health and social care backlog that arose during the covid pandemic and a recent further surge in covid and respiratory cases. while the scottish government has to operate within a largely fixed budgets, determined by westminster, this government will of course do everything we can to protect people and the public. of course, were scotland an independent country, we would not be paying the price for bad decisions taken at westminster, whether that be years of austerity cuts, brexit or
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reckless mini budgets, all of which have taken money out of the economy and public for funding services. —— funding for public services. the fact remains that our main lever to reduce these pressures in year is to reduce spending to achieve balance and that is why i am setting out today a range of measures to support the 2024-25 of measures to support the 2024—25 budget, totalling almost £1 billion, of which up to 500 million our direct savings. the savings include up to £60 million of further savings that will be realised limitation of the emergency spending controls, particularly targeting recruitment over time travel and marketing. as previously announced, we will not progress with the removal of lower peak fares or the concessionary fares extension to the asylum seekers pilot. we have also agreed with local government that they can use
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existing programmes to fund pay deals and this amounts to a further £65 million of savings and we will make additional specific savings across all portfolios. this includes a reduction in resource to spend on sustainable and active travel and increased interest income on scottish water loan balances. full details are being shared with the finance and public administration committee and published alongside this statement. these savings should also be considered in the context of the recent and regrettable scottish government decision to move the uk government decision not to retain universality in the winter fuel payment, which would have cost up to £160 million. at present, i am also reluctantly planning on the basis of utilising up to 460 million of additional scotland revenue funding. in the past, it has allowed me to protect budgets from cuts that otherwise would have been made,
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including being able to continue to support net zero expenditure. as the final year progresses, and through our emergency spending controls and continued robust forecasting, i am seeking to protect as far as possible that scotland revenue, just as i was able to do in 2023-24. just as i was able to do in 2023—24. residing officer, as we look ahead, it is clear that further significant action will be needed to reset the public finances onto a sustainable path. the chancellor has made clear that uk government funding will continue to be tightly constrained. the prime minister has also made clear the difficult decisions to come. the head of the autumn budgets, we again call on the uk government to make sure that it prioritises investment in public services and infrastructure. we know from better experience that yet more westminster austerity is not the answer, and public services must be protected. however, if
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the scottish government does not act, spending will continue to outstrip available funding. that is not sustainable, and tough decisions will be required. annual savings alone will not address this. so, all members of this place must face up members of this place must face up to this challenge and the demands they meet during the budget process to come. on public spending, ourapproach public spending, our approach to public spending, ourapproach to the forthcoming budget will be focused on action in key areas to address spending pressures, some of which i want to highlight today. first, let me turn to health. we will take forward our vision for health and social care reform. this government will always prioritise funding for nhs and ended 2025—26 budgets we will build on the record funding we have allocated in the current financial year and take the twin approach of investment and reform in our health services, an approach that rightly
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tackles the population and health challenges we face. where necessary, that must mean realigning spend to ensure it reaches those that need it most. beyond health, we will also continue to identify and implement opportunities to de—prioritise low—impact spend in programmes across whole of government. i won't use the forthcoming budget to highlight how we will double down on reform, opportunities and maximise efficiencies with a particular focus on public bodies and driving further savings through efficiency leavers, including operations around estates, procurement, fund management, digital shared services and revenue raising. when workforce, we have recruitment freezes in place across the scottish government for all but the most essential roles, and where appropriate, i am looking to extend that across public bodies while ensuring that front line services and the like of our
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nhs, police, and fire can recruit the staff they need. we also face significant pressures and our capital budget. a sustained high level of inflation experience and the construction sector has permanently increased the cost of delivering infrastructure. this coming sized with an expected real terms reduction to our uk capitalfunding of 8.7% overfive years. to our uk capitalfunding of 8.7% over five years. —— this coincides with. this is a community of loss of over 1.3 billion between 2024 and 2028 and as indicated previously, are transactional allocation has dropped since 2022—23, adding to the challenge we already face. these factors combined have reduced our spending power, and we cannot afford all of our capital commitments. we will need to continue to make difficult decisions to ensure our capital programme is a portable and
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deliverable. in line with our investment hierarchy we are focusing spend on essential maintenance of our infrastructure so we can continue to deliver high quality public services, i whilst these will be difficult choices, this government remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable in society. our approach to equality budgeting will be strengthened further for the 2025—26 budget by publishing the results of our gender budgeting pilot with the oecd. on tax, i can confirm we will publish our tax strategy alongside the 2025—26 scottish budgets, where we will set out our medium term ambitions for the scottish tax system. of course, are cumulative decisions on
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system. of course, are cuml used decisions on system. of course, are cuml used to ecisions on system. of course, are cuml used to support)n system. of course, are cuml used to support our vital been used to support our vital public services and anyone who would advocate removing the progressive changes to income tax in scotland will need to set out £21.5 billion of cuts would fall as a consequence. on the application of taxation, we can only go so far, given the scope of our devolved tax powers. raising significant further revenue would require substantial reform to the tax system or the further devolution of powers. these will take time and will rely on the uk government. it is therefore essential that we aim to grow the economy and the tax base to support a sustained flow of revenues over time. since 2007, scotland's economy flow of revenues over time. since 2007, scotland's economy has grown faster than the uk as has grown faster than the uk as a whole after accounting for a whole after accounting for population growth, and population growth, and productivity has grown twice as productivity has grown twice as quickly. and this, of course, quickly. and this, of course, has supported growth in has supported growth in scottish tax revenues, and scottish tax revenues, and
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boosting economic growth boosting economic growth is a top priority for our governments because it is key to both raising scotland's living standards and funding the public services we all rely upon. this is even more important given that brexit is estimated to have left in the uk government at least £69 billion worse off compared with eu membership, and that is why our programme for government tomorrow will set out in detail the steps we will take this year to boost fair green economic growth will stop as members will be aware, i recently bred to be finance and public administration committee to provide an update on the timing of the scottish budget. i also stated i intend to publish the medium term financial strategy after the uk government's multi—year spending review has concluded in the spring. place on
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budget budget takes place on the 4th of december and i continue to discuss the budget date with the public finance and administration committee and administration committee and the scottish fiscal commission and will finalise it in due course. —— scottish budget date. we cannot ignore the severe financial challenges we face and we will continue to be a fiscally responsible government and balance the budget each year, as we have done every yearfor 17 budget each year, as we have done every year for 17 years, and we will do so again this year, but this will mean we must unfortunately take difficult decisions along the way. i believe we can all agree on the importance of putting the public purse to all that we do, and i am calling on members across the chamber to work together to navigate the challenges ahead in the best interests of all of the people we have the privilege to serve. thank you. applause thank you, cabinet secretary. the cabinet secretary will now take _ the cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues
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raised — take questions on the issues raised in _ take questions on the issues raised in her statement and i intend — raised in her statement and i intend to _ raised in her statement and i intend to allow around 30 minutes _ intend to allow around 30 minutes for questions, after which — minutes for questions, after which time, we will move onto the next — which time, we will move onto the next of business and it witi— the next of business and it will helpful if the people wishing to ask a question would press _ wishing to ask a question would press the — wishing to ask a question would press the request to speak button _ press the request to speak button. read back the scottish fiscat— button. read back the scottish fiscal commission has made it abundantly clear that much of the pressure facing the country's— the pressure facing the count ' ., . ,, ., the pressure facing the count ' ., . , , ., ., country's finances is down to the scottish _ country's finances is down to the scottish government's . country's finances is down to i the scottish government's own decisions — the scottish government's own decisions and _ the scottish government's own decisions and it _ the scottish government's own decisions and it cited _ the scottish government's own decisions and it cited the - decisions and it cited the above _ decisions and it cited the above inflation _ decisions and it cited the above inflation pay- decisions and it cited the - above inflation pay settlements for public — above inflation pay settlements for public sector— above inflation pay settlements for public sector workers - above inflation pay settlements for public sector workers and i for public sector workers and the gap _ for public sector workers and the gap between _ for public sector workers and the gap between spending . for public sector workers andl the gap between spending on devolved _ the gap between spending on devolved social— the gap between spending on devolved social security- the gap between spending on devolved social security and i devolved social security and the associated _ devolved social security and the associated bga - devolved social security and the associated bga funding | devolved social security and - the associated bga funding and as professor— the associated bga funding and as professor roy _ the associated bga funding and as professor roy said _ the associated bga funding and as professor roy said this - as professor roy said this morning. _ as professor roy said this morning, again, - as professor roy said this morning, again, the - as professor roy said this morning, again, the fact. as professor roy said this . morning, again, the fact that the scottish— morning, again, the fact that the scottish economy - morning, again, the fact that the scottish economy has - morning, again, the fact that| the scottish economy has not been — the scottish economy has not been growing _ the scottish economy has not been growing at _ the scottish economy has not been growing at the - the scottish economy has not been growing at the same - the scottish economy has notl been growing at the same rate as the — been growing at the same rate as the uk_ been growing at the same rate as the uk economy _ been growing at the same rate as the uk economy since - been growing at the same rate . as the uk economy since income tax was — as the uk economy since income tax was devolved. _ as the uk economy since income tax was devolved. the _ as the uk economy since income tax was devolved. the scottish l tax was devolved. the scottish government _ tax was devolved. the scottish government is— tax was devolved. the scottish government is missing - tax was devolved. the scottish government is missing out- tax was devolved. the scottish government is missing out onl government is missing out on £624 — government is missing out on £624 million, _ government is missing out on £624 million, which _ government is missing out on £624 million, which of- government is missing out oni £624 million, which of course, 'ust £624 million, which of course, just happens— £624 million, which of course, just happens to _ £624 million, which of course, just happens to be _ £624 million, which of course, just happens to be very- £624 million, which of course, just happens to be very close i just happens to be very close to the —
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just happens to be very close to the total _ just happens to be very close to the total sum _ just happens to be very close to the total sum of _ just happens to be very close to the total sum of the - to the total sum of the expenditure _ to the total sum of the expenditure cuts - to the total sum of the expenditure cuts that i to the total sum of the . expenditure cuts that the finance _ expenditure cuts that the finance secretary - expenditure cuts that the finance secretary is - expenditure cuts that the - finance secretary is announcing today— finance secretary is announcing today so — finance secretary is announcing today so could _ finance secretary is announcing today so could i_ finance secretary is announcing today so could i ask— finance secretary is announcing today so could i ask the - today so could i ask the cabinet _ today so could i ask the cabinet secretary - today so could i ask the cabinet secretary three| today so could i ask the - cabinet secretary three things? given— cabinet secretary three things? given the — cabinet secretary three things? given the recent _ cabinet secretary three things? given the recent independent . given the recent independent analysis, _ given the recent independent analysis, att— given the recent independent analysis, all the _ given the recent independent analysis, all the cabinet- analysis, all the cabinet secretary— analysis, all the cabinet secretary finally- analysis, all the cabinet secretary finally put - analysis, all the cabinet secretary finally put on i analysis, all the cabinet. secretary finally put on the record _ secretary finally put on the record that _ secretary finally put on the record that the _ secretary finally put on the record that the large - secretary finally put on the record that the large black| record that the large black hole — record that the large black hole in— record that the large black hole in scotland's - record that the large black hole in scotland's public. hole in scotland's public finances _ hole in scotland's public finances is _ hole in scotland's public finances is a _ hole in scotland's public finances is a result - hole in scotland's public finances is a result of. hole in scotland's publicl finances is a result of the actions _ finances is a result of the actions of— finances is a result of the actions of the _ finances is a result of the actions of the scottish i actions of the scottish government, - actions of the scottish government, and - actions of the scottish government, and notl actions of the scottish i government, and not the actions of the scottish _ government, and not the actions of westminster? _ government, and not the actions of westminster? secondly, - government, and not the actionsl of westminster? secondly, candy cabirret— of westminster? secondly, candy cabinet secretary _ of westminster? secondly, candy cabinet secretary clarified - of westminster? secondly, candy cabinet secretary clarified the - cabinet secretary clarified the scottish — cabinet secretary clarified the scottish government's - cabinet secretary clarified the scottish government's tax - scottish government's tax strategy— scottish government's tax strategy in _ scottish government's tax strategy in relation - scottish government's tax strategy in relation to - strategy in relation to economic— strategy in relation to economic growth? . strategy in relation toj economic growth? on strategy in relation to - economic growth? on the one hand. — economic growth? on the one hand. we _ economic growth? on the one hand, we have _ economic growth? on the one hand, we have the _ economic growth? on the one hand, we have the deputy- economic growth? on the one | hand, we have the deputy first minister— hand, we have the deputy first minister repeatedly— hand, we have the deputy first minister repeatedly warning. hand, we have the deputy first minister repeatedly warning of| minister repeatedly warning of the dangers— minister repeatedly warning of the dangers of— minister repeatedly warning of the dangers of the _ minister repeatedly warning of the dangers of the snp- minister repeatedly warning of the dangers of the snp are's l the dangers of the snp are's counter—productive - the dangers of the snp are's counter—productive income i the dangers of the snp are's . counter—productive income tax rises _ counter—productive income tax rises which _ counter—productive income tax rises which could _ counter—productive income tax rises which could further- rises which could further hamper— rises which could further hamper growth- rises which could further hamper growth and- rises which could further- hamper growth and investment, but on _ hamper growth and investment, but on the — hamper growth and investment, but on the other— hamper growth and investment, but on the other hand, - hamper growth and investment, but on the other hand, we - hamper growth and investment, but on the other hand, we havel but on the other hand, we have the first — but on the other hand, we have the first minister— but on the other hand, we have the first minister seeing - the first minister seeing higher— the first minister seeing higher taxes— the first minister seeing higher taxes are - the first minister seeing . higher taxes are necessary the first minister seeing - higher taxes are necessary to remain— higher taxes are necessary to remain the _ higher taxes are necessary to remain the snp's _ higher taxes are necessary to remain the snp's so—called l remain the snp's so—called social— remain the snp's so—called social contract— remain the snp's so—called social contract so— remain the snp's so—called social contract so who - remain the snp's so—called social contract so who is i social contract so who is right, _ social contract so who is right, cabinet— social contract so who isi right, cabinet secretary? bradley. _ right, cabinet secretary? bradley. in _ right, cabinet secretary? bradley, in light- right, cabinet secretary? bradley, in light of- right, cabinet secretary? bradley, in light of the l right, cabinet secretary? . bradley, in light of the very hard — bradley, in light of the very hard choices— bradley, in light of the very
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hard choices the _ bradley, in light of the very hard choices the cabinet. hard choices the cabinet secretary _ hard choices the cabinet secretary is _ hard choices the cabinet secretary is outlining. hard choices the cabinet i secretary is outlining today and — secretary is outlining today and the _ secretary is outlining today and the unaffordability - secretary is outlining today and the unaffordability of l secretary is outlining today - and the unaffordability of many of the — and the unaffordability of many of the scottish _ and the unaffordability of many of the scottish government's . of the scottish government's spending _ of the scottish government's spending commitments, - of the scottish government's i spending commitments, does of the scottish government's - spending commitments, does the scottish— spending commitments, does the scottish government _ spending commitments, does the scottish government not - spending commitments, does the scottish government not to - scottish government not to agree — scottish government not to agree it _ scottish government not to agree it is _ scottish government not to agree it is time _ scottish government not to agree it is time to- scottish government not to agree it is time to review. agree it is time to review universat— agree it is time to review universal payments, - agree it is time to review. universal payments, some agree it is time to review- universal payments, some of which — universal payments, some of which are _ universal payments, some of which are better— universal payments, some of which are better off- universal payments, some of which are better off paid - universal payments, some of which are better off paid to l which are better off paid to particular— which are better off paid to particular recipients? - which are better off paid to particular recipients? let l which are better off paid to particular recipients? let me sa to particular recipients? let me say to liz _ particular recipients? let me say to liz smith, _ particular recipients? let me say to liz smith, our - particular recipients? let me say to liz smith, our choices| say to liz smith, our choices of a government have been to invest in social security measure like likely scottish child payment, giving 100,000 children out of poverty. if liz smith is arguing on behalf of the conservatives that that is a wrong priority, that is for her and her party to defend in public. secondly, on funding fair pay deals, yes, we have funded those, and that has meant we have avoided some of the costly industrial action we have seen blight public services in other parts of the
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uk. costly to the nhs in particular. applause so i will make no apologies for the investment decisions we have made. and of course, she makes an important point about the scottish fiscal commission who of course also say that is significant uncertainty about the funding we can expect to receive from the uk government. so in the light of the uk government accepting the uk pay review body's recommendations, this government is having to take the action to make sure we can create the head room to fund those pay deals, because i am assuming liz smith is also not arguing that we should not be paying the nurses in scotland the same pay deal they will get in england. i'm sure that she is not intending to say that. finally, on the scottish economy, we absolutely want to quote the scottish economy, and of course, in terms of the emphasis being put
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by that, you will see that in the programme for government tomorrow in terms of the green and a fair economy, but we are also investing more than £5 million this year to support economic growth and scotland is open for business and you can see from the figures around productivity and growth that scotland is doing better than liz smith and her colleagues would have us believe, and we will continue to make the investments to make sure that is the case. investments to make sure that is the case-— is the case. presiding officer, instead of— is the case. presiding officer, instead of gripping _ is the case. presiding officer, instead of gripping the - is the case. presiding officer, instead of gripping the crisis | instead of gripping the crisis instead of gripping the crisis in scotland's public finances, this is— in scotland's public finances, this is a _ in scotland's public finances, this is a threadbare attempt to try to — this is a threadbare attempt to try to pass the buck, this statement. after 17 years in power. _ statement. after 17 years in power, always someone else to blame, _ power, always someone else to blame, again and again, and they— blame, again and again, and they must note that all of the independent experts, the institute for fiscal studies, audit— institute for fiscal studies, audit scotland, the scottish
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fiscat— audit scotland, the scottish fiscal commission, they are all absolutely clear that these cuts — absolutely clear that these cuts stem from the scottish government's incompetence and it is snp — government's incompetence and it is snp mismanagement of money— it is snp mismanagement of money from a government i am afraid _ money from a government i am afraid has— money from a government i am afraid has long since lost its way, — afraid has long since lost its way, and _ afraid has long since lost its way, and the culture are blaming _ way, and the culture are blaming someone else is its cost — blaming someone else is its because after three years of annual its blaming someone else is its cost — blaming someone else is its cost which is meted out injobs cost which is meted out injobs and service cuts and we have and service cuts and we have that — and service cuts and we have that longest nhs waiting lists that — and service cuts and we have that longest nhs waiting lists in history and attainment is in history and attainment is dropping in our schools. scots dropping in our schools. scots are left— are left— dropping in our schools. scots are left paying more and dropping in our schools. scots getting less, and almost half are left paying more and getting less, and almost half of the — getting less, and almost half of the — getting less, and almost half of the total adjustments laid out today are pulled from a one of the total adjustments laid out today are pulled from one off raid — out today are pulled from a one off raid — out today are pulled from a one off raid on— out today are pulled from a one off raid on scotland money. out today are pulled from a one off raid on— out today are pulled from a one off raid on scotland money. lost — off raid on scotland money. lost now _ lost — off raid on scotland money. lost now _ off raid on scotland money. lost now into the black hole, annual— off raid on scotland money. lost now into the black hole, rather — lost now into the black hole, rather — lost now into the black hole, rather than investing in our rather than investing in our future _ rather than investing in our future it— rather than investing in our future _ rather than investing in our future it— rather than investing in our future. it almost guarantees future. it almost guarantees that— future. it almost guarantees that— future. it almost guarantees that this _ future. it almost guarantees that this _ future. it almost guarantees that this cycle of short—term sticking _ that this cycle of short—term sticking plaster politics will that this cycle of short—term sticking _ that this cycle of short—term sticking plaster politics will run and _ run and _ sticking plaster politics will run and run. presiding officer, sticking plaster politics will run and run. presiding officer, when — run and run. presiding officer, when witt— run and run. presiding officer, when — run and run. presiding officer, when witt— run and run. presiding officer, when will the finance secretary when will the finance secretary published the real, full published the details details, frankly, any details of these _ details, frankly, any details details, frankly, any details of these _ details, frankly, any details of these incompetent cuts? of these incompetent cuts?
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because _ because _ of these incompetent cuts? because after three years of of these incompetent cuts? because after three years of annual— because after three years of annualg reviews, and becausgafter three years of annualg reviews, and what spending reviews, and what looks— spending reviews, and what looks like another exercise in kicking — looks like another exercise in kicking the can down the road, will she — kicking the can down the road, will she confirm the will she confirm today what the date _ will she confirm today what the date of — will she confirm today what the date of next year's crisis cut statement will be, so we can all get — statement will be, so we can all get it— statement will be, so we can all get it in the diary? cabinet i think michael marra shoutd — cabinet i think michael marra should read _ cabinet i think michael marra should read my— cabinet i think michael marra should read my lips, - cabinet i think michael marra should read my lips, labour. should read my lips, labour austerity— should read my lips, labour austerity is _ should read my lips, labour austerity is as _ should read my lips, labour austerity is as damaging. should read my lips, labour austerity is as damaging as| austerity is as damaging as tory— austerity is as damaging as tory austerity— austerity is as damaging as tory austerity when - austerity is as damaging as tory austerity when it - austerity is as damaging as. tory austerity when it comes austerity is as damaging as - tory austerity when it comes to public— tory austerity when it comes to public service _ tory austerity when it comes to public service cuts. _ public service cuts. applause - applause fort michael marra to come to this chamber on behalf of the labour party where the labour prime minister has announced in the gardens of downing street that there is a difficult, tough budgets coming immediately after the labour chancellor announced £22 billion of public sector funding reductions, it is a bit rich for michael marra to come
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here and lecture anyone about the public finances. i am also assuming from what michael margaret said that if he was standing in this position, he would make another £460 million of cuts, rather than utilising the scotland resources, scotland's resources this government has enabled to happen here in scotland that have supported public finances. —— michael marra. let's cut to the chase here, we are going to see labour presiding over austerity and cuts that make the tory cuts look like a pale imitation, and yet will come here and try to make out that somehow scotland is some exception here, unlike in wales, where his colleagues have had to make extremely difficult decisions because of
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austerity, and the same issue in northern ireland, where they have not been able to balance their budget. all others are facing the same problems and we will point out exactly where the root of them lies.- will point out exactly where the root of them lies. that was scotland's _ the root of them lies. that was scotland's finance _ the root of them lies. that was scotland's finance secretary, . scotland's finance secretary, shona robison, responding to questions from the
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decisions along the way and the scottish government is required to balance its books and that is a legal requirement, year on year, and what she was talking about today was more action to balance the budget in this financial year. she did lay the wider context for that and she talked about what the snp would wider context for that and she talked about what the snp would call was minster austerity and call was minster austerity and the damage of brexit and the damage of brexit and pandemic had had an effect and pandemic had had an effect and the ukraine crisis had had an the ukraine crisis had had an effect as well as the cost of effect as well as the cost of living crisis —— westminster living crisis —— westminster austerity. she said that had austerity. she said that had resulted in prices rising by resulted in prices rising by close to a fifth over the last close to a fifth over the last three years and she said the three years and she said the priority of the government here priority of the government here in scotland had always did in in scotland had always did in to protect the nhs and protect to protect the nhs and protect the most vulnerable and she the most vulnerable and she pointed to those social welfare pointed to those social welfare benefits that the scottish benefits that the scottish government has control over government has control over such as the scottish child such as the scottish child payment they say has helped to payment they say has helped to
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alleviate poverty and she alleviate poverty for some families, but they said nonetheless, in order to balance the books, some difficult decisions are having to be made and she set out those cuts would some of that
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