Scottish Liberal Democrats set out stall ahead of Budget
Speaking ahead of the Scottish Budget, Scottish Liberal Democrat economy and finance spokesperson Jamie Greene MSP said:
"The Scottish Liberal Democrats get stuff done, so we will always act responsibly and pragmatically in a parliament of minorities. We have been absolutely clear with the SNP about what we want to see in this year’s budget if they’re after cross-party support for it.
"We've highlighted in our discussions with ministers the perilous state of Scotland's colleges, councils being forced to cut services that people rely on, the barriers facing people with ADHD and autism, the cost of childcare preventing mums and dads from returning to work and the hammer blow being dealt to businesses by rate revaluations. We want to see young people being supported to be the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, and our island communities need a fair deal too.
"Thousands of people are stuck in hospital on costly delayed discharge, like Margaret MacGill in Wick who should have been home within 14 weeks but has now been in hospital for 14 months. It's a care bottleneck that means cancelled surgeries, endless waits in A&E and ambulances stacking up outside. We've been clear with the government that you can't fix the NHS unless you fix care.
“Our message to the SNP is simple: if we see movement and investment in these key Lib Dem priorities, then there’s a conversation to be had."
Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP commented:
"Scotland has so much going for it, but right now it feels like our country simply isn't working. Nothing in this budget is going to unpick nineteen years’ worth of SNP failures. Scotland deserves better and the only thing that will truly bring about the change that Scotland needs is a change of government.
“Scotland should be budgeting for change with fairness at its heart. Wherever you are, you can vote for that in May’s election by backing the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the second peach-coloured ballot. The more MSPs we have, the more we can get done.”
