FINANCE Secretary Kate Forbes has pleaded with the other parties in Holyrood to back what she has called “the most important Budget in the history of devolution”.
The minister is due to set out her tax and spending plans in Holyrood this afternoon.
Because the SNP don’t have a majority in the Scottish Parliament, they need the support of at least one other party to get their Budget passed.
It’s unlikely those votes will come from the Tories or the LibDems, both of whom have said they won’t back Forbes’s plans unless she “defunds indyref preparations”.
Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s statement, Forbes said: “This is the most important Budget in the history of devolution.
“It comes as we are tackling a global pandemic and working to mitigate the damaging effects of a Brexit that Scotland did not vote for.
“I must ensure that every penny I have at my disposal makes an impact.
“The measures I am laying before Parliament today will provide certainty and stability to business, support families and bolster public services, while promoting sustainable growth and creating jobs.”
Forbes also hit out at Rishi Sunak for delaying the UK Government’s Budget until March.
She said that meant she had been denied “crucial information on tax rates and funding” which would impact her plans.
Forbes said: “It highlights the flawed fiscal arrangements the devolved administrations operate within and I once again urge the Chancellor to grant the borrowing powers and flexibility we need to respond quickly and decisively to the unprecedented challenges facing us all.
“I hope the Scottish Parliament will support this Budget and help build the fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland we all want to see.”
Among their asks, the Tories have called on Forbes to rule out tax rises, and for an existing 100% rates relief on leisure, hospitality and retail businesses.
On indyref, they’ve called for the SNP “to ditch their plans to publish a draft independence referendum bill ahead of the election”.
They said: “It is a distraction and a misuse of government resources at this time.”
Scottish Tory chief Douglas Ross accused the SNP of not spending money already promised in previous Budget pledges.
He said: “At this crucial point in the fight to deliver the Covid-19 vaccine and suppress the virus, it’s vital that the national interest comes first, ahead of the nationalist interest.
“Instead of pushing for indyref2 as early as this year, the SNP’s Budget should focus on throwing the full weight of the Government behind supporting local jobs and public services.
“Scotland’s priority is recovering from this pandemic, not another referendum.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said his party wanted more spending on schools, businesses, the NHS, and particularly on mental health.
He said: “A single penny spent on preparing Scotland for another independence referendum is a penny denied to these vital services.
“This is the first Budget of the recovery and the Government’s priorities should reflect that.”
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