Lib Dems attempt to cut services

Commenting on reports that Scottish LibDem leader Tavish Scott will call for a 2p cut in the basic rate of income tax SNP MSP Alex Neil, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee, challenged him to explain where public spending cuts would be made to pay for the proposal.

Mr Neil also pointed out that the proposed policy was already falling apart as official figures show it would cost almost double the figure the LibDems claim it would cost. In Scotland on Sunday the LibDems claim their policy would cost in the region of £400 million a year. However the most recent Budget Red Book shows that it would actually be £760 million this year and £800 million next.

Commenting Mr Neil said:

"Soundbites don't make for sound house keeping and this policy announcement is already showing all the hallmarks of an ill thought out policy.

"It's only a couple of years since the LibDems' policy was an increase in income tax when the standard rate was higher. Now they are calling for an income tax cut which would equal large spending cuts.

"The SNP has already frozen Council Tax and cut business rates - which the LibDems failed to vote for in the budget. This is a bit Johnnie-come-lately for them now.

"They have already got their sums wrong on how much it would cost. If these proposals were put forward the Scottish public would face deep spending cuts of up to £800 million a year.

"If this is now LibDem policy in Scotland the question they must answer is where they would make these massive cuts to pay for it?

"Would it be the Central Heating Scheme they would scrap? The funding to fight superbugs in hospitals? The costs of phasing out prescription charges? Or the concessionary fares scheme?

"If they cannot identify what public service spending they would cut then this policy will just be seen as the uncosted soundbite it is."