Difficult times test our resolve but our vision remains clear

“Scotland to lead, not leave, the UK,” we were told. But instead, almost a decade on, when we could have been thriving and forging our own path, we are left in this shambles of a UK counting crumbs.

I have a sense of pride in our Scottish Government’s resilient response to fiscal adversity and a continuing disdain towards the UK Government and its financial mismanagement, which has had such a significant impact on our society.

At the heart of the Scottish Government’s Budget lies a clear focus on prioritising the welfare of our citizens. Amid the tight fiscal constraints imposed by UK Government policies, we have made tough but necessary choices. It has been anything but easy as we all feel the pinch of this cost of Union crisis.

I see this every day in my work, with many struggling families reaching out to my office desperately seeking help, food and warmth often being an ask. It’s a disgrace that we are at this point in 2023.

What has the UK Government done in 13 years except squeeze the poor? The Victorian values of conservatism seem to reflect the lack of social justice of that time too.

The stark reality of the UK’s financial mismanagement comes into sharp focus when we look at the figures. The interest payments on the UK’s £2.6 trillion debt are expected to rise by £22 billion more than anticipated, reaching a staggering £11bn, or £318 million per day.

This amount is six times Scotland’s annual NHS budget. This alarming statistic is not just a number – it’s a glaring example of the financial imprudence at Westminster, which starkly contrasts with our approach in Scotland.

READ MORE: Scottish Government slashes millions from housing budget despite crisis

Incorporating social justice priorities into a budget goes beyond financial allocations. It is a powerful statement about the kind of society we aspire to build. It’s about creating a framework where every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive.

When a government chooses to invest in areas such affordable housing, mental health services, and accessible education, it is not just addressing immediate needs, it is laying the groundwork for a more equitable and stable future.

These priorities reflect a holistic approach to governance, where economic growth and social welfare are not seen as separate agendas but as interconnected goals.

By investing in social justice, we’re investing in human capital – the most valuable resource any nation has. We’re building a society that values everyone, understands their challenges, and actively works to provide solutions. It’s a vision of a society where equality, opportunity, and compassion are not just ideals but everyday realities.

In Scotland, despite receiving a real-terms cut in our budget from Westminster – an increase well below inflation, effectively a cut however it is spun – we have managed to uphold our commitment to public welfare.

The Scottish Government, even in these testing times, has chosen to focus on the pillars of our society – healthcare, education and social care. Our approach to taxation, often criticised, stands as a model of fairness and equity, ensuring those who can afford to contribute more do so, thereby easing the burden on those less fortunate.

The Budget’s empathetic approach shines through in its allocations.

A £550m increase for NHS frontline boards reflects our unwavering commitment to healthcare, even under fiscal duress. In education and social care, we’ve not just allocated funds but also focused on the dignity of work and fairness, with a significant wage increase for social care and early learning workers.

Infrastructure development, crucial for the long-term sustainability of Scotland, remains a priority. Projects such the A9 dualling programme are about more than just roads – they are investments in the safety and prosperity of our future generations. These initiatives, coupled with our unyielding efforts to alleviate poverty and close the attainment gap, form the backbone of our vision for a thriving Scotland.

Contrast this with the UK Government, whose approach has been marked by fiscal incompetence. The soaring national debt and policies that disproportionately burden the poor reflect a government disconnected from the needs of its people. The cost of living crisis, which is effectively the cost of the Union crisis, has made a painful mark, Families and individuals across our country are feeling the pinch and struggling to cope with rising costs that are a direct result of the UK Government’s policies.

Independence for Scotland is not just a political aspiration, it’s a necessity for the financial and social wellbeing of our nation.

Only through independence can we fully control our fiscal policies, tailoring them to the unique needs of our people. Only then can we escape the financial mismanagement of Westminster and chart our own course, one that prioritises compassion, fairness and the wellbeing of every citizen, doing this as well as focusing on growth – it’s not either or.

As we navigate these turbulent times, let us remember that our journey is not just about numbers and budgets, it is about people and their lives. It’s about building a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, where our government’s priorities reflect the needs of its people, not the interests of the privileged few.

The contrast between the Scottish Government’s empathetic governance and the UK Government’s fiscal recklessness couldn’t be clearer. It underscores the urgency of our pursuit of independence – a path towards a future where Scotland can fully realise its potential, free from the constraints of a Union that has continually failed to safeguard the interests of its people.

In these difficult times, our resolve is tested but our vision remains clear. We stand committed to building a Scotland that cares, that listens and that acts in the best interest of its people. A Scotland that’s not just surviving but thriving, charting its own course towards a more just, equitable and prosperous future.