Tory MPs want to slash Scotland's budget

Conservatives

2010-02-01

The Tories true colours have been exposed by an IPPR survey which shows a majority of Tory MPs want to cut Scotland’s budget, despite the UK economy currently relying on Scotland’s oil revenues to stay afloat.

In a double whammy Tory MPs plans come on top of cuts already proposed by David Cameron and others already in place under Labour.

The most recent economic assessments show that over the last three years for which figures are available Scotland ran a £2.3 billion surplus whilst the UK has run a £24 billion deficit.

SNP Treasury Spokesman Stewart Hosie MP said:

"It comes as no surprise that Tory MPs have no respect for Scotland. This is the same old anti-Scottish Tory attitude that rears its head on a regular basis.

"No matter what they pretend in Scotland it is clear the Conservatives plan significant cuts to Scotland’s budget.

"The upcoming General Election is a chance for Scots voters to break out of the phoney war between Labour cuts and Tory cuts and back candidates that will fight against this slash and burn approach to Scotland’s economy.

"As recent analysis of official figrues shows Scotland ran a £2.3 billion surplus in the three years to 2007-08 while the UK added another £24 billion to it’s deficit.

"And the Treasury themselves have admitted that increasing Scottish oil revenues are expected to keep the UK economy afloat in the coming years.

"Short of independence the only acceptable alternative is full fiscal autonomy, giving Scotland full rights and responsibilities over all fiscal decisions and ensuring it is not the anti-Scottish attitude of Cameron’s Tories that decides Scotland’s economic fate."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7105228/Tory-MPs-tel...

2. GERS figures show that Scotland ran current budget surpluses in each of

the three years to 2007/08, worth a cumulative £2.3 billion, including a geographical share of North Sea revenues. In contrast, the UK recorded a deficit of £24 billion over the same period, and last managed a current budget surplus – including a 100 per cent share of North Sea revenues – in 2001/02.

(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/GERS)

3. The Pre-Budget report revises expected North Sea oil and gas revenues

up by £10 billion between 2009/10 and 2014/15 to £50 billion over the next six years.

4. £48.8 billion was received in revenues over the previous six years

from North Sea Oil and Gas

5. Independent report from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre

confirms a £814 million reduction in Scotland’s budget for 2010-11, on the budget expected in 2009-10.