SCOTLAND'S Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has urged UK Chancellor Philip Hammond to provide more clarity on Brexit, including future EU funding.
Mackay has written to Hammond ahead of the UK Government's Spring Statement to address economic and fiscal forecasts.
He wrote: "It is imperative that the UK Government urgently provides details of how it plans to mitigate the significant impacts of leaving the EU and how the £3 billion funding for EU exit preparations which was announced at last year's Autumn Budget will be allocated. Scotland must have its fair share of this funding.
"The people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU and the Scottish Government firmly believes that Scotland's public finances should not bear the costs of EU exit.
"We have been absolutely clear that Scotland must not be any worse-off in respect of the funding allocations that replace those provided from the EU and that they must be focused on delivering inclusive growth."
He urged Hammond to give people and business more certainty on the process of leaving the EU, and to "engage meaningfully" with the Scottish Government on Brexit impacts.
Scottish Government analysis indicates a "no deal" Brexit will cut Scottish economic growth by 8.5 per cent by 2030 while leaked draft UK Government document predicts an even steeper 9 per cent drop.
Mackay repeated calls for the UK Government to end unnecessary austerity and to clarify its position on public-sector pay.
He reiterated a demand for a backdated VAT refund for police and fire services in Scotland.
A Treasury spokesman said the department would not comment on the content of the Spring Statement in advance of delivery on Tuesday.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel