Commenting after holding a meeting with the Finance Secretary and the Minister for Parliamentary Business, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Mike Rumbles said:

Mike Rumbles MSP“I am extremely disappointed that the Ministers refused to consider the principle of personal tax cuts in the Scottish Budget.

“As it stands, the Budget is an inadequate response to the economic storm facing Scotland. The SNP has to remember that it is a minority Government and needs support from other parties.

“Our door will remain open to the SNP right up to the Budget vote. But we cannot proceed to the negotiating table until the Scottish Government signals that it will consider the principle of personal tax cuts. Hard pressed families and individuals need money back in their pockets right now.

“The ball is in their court.”