Commenting on the publication of the Scottish Government’s Budget Bill, Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson Jeremy Purvis MSP said:

“Figures published earlier this week by a UK property consultant King Sturge show that Scotland’s economic growth is set to be the worst in the UK this year. They show that in 2009 our economy will lag well behind England, with the worst regional economic growth.

“This blows out of the water Alex Salmond’s claim that Scotland’s economy is outperforming the rest of the UK.

“The SNP’s Budget choices published today have changed by less than 1 per cent to those published in the 2007 Spending Review. This is totally inadequate.

“We remain disappointed that the SNP refuse even to consider the principle of personal tax cuts.

“These figures clearly show that Scotland needs a dedicated fiscal stimulus and a particular response to the specific needs of the Scottish economy.

“Although our door remains open to the Scottish Government, so far they have been worryingly arrogant and complacent.”