Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for North East Fife, Iain Smith, has slammed the SNP’s Trident tax plans as irresponsible and has written to Alex Salmond to demand to know which public services he will cut to fund the tax.

Iain Smith MSPMr Smith said: "We know the SNP's sums never add up, but not working out that this policy could mean budget cuts for schools and hospitals shows just how irresponsible they can be.

"The Statement of Funding Policy for the Devolved Institutions makes it perfectly clear that if any decision of the Scottish Parliament has financial implications for a UK Department, then the cost will have to be met from the Scottish Block.

"Under the powers of the Scotland Act, the UK Government would simply claw back any "Trident Tax" from the money available to fund Scottish schools and hospitals.

“I have written to Alex Salmond asking him which of Scotland’s public services will be cut to fund this latest ill-thought out pledge.”