Dundee West Labour
6 February 2020
Today in the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Labour Finance, Jobs and Fair Work Spokesperson, Rhoda Grant MSP, responded to the SNP Government’s budget statement which :
*Has not met Scottish Labour’s ask for free bus travel for all under 25’s
*Has not yet provided a fair deal for local councils with a priority for social care
*Has not yet restored years of underinvestment in Higher Education
*Has not yet taken the radical action desperately needed to tackle the climate crisis
Commenting, Scottish Labour Finance, Jobs and Fair Work Spokesperson, Rhoda Grant MSP, said:
“Despite the additional powers that have come to the Scottish Parliament over the last decade the SNP Government have failed to maximise their use, leaving our economy, our people and our essential services worse off. "They have endeavoured to hide this through smoke and mirrors but they must come clean with the Scottish people.
“Scottish Labour wants transformational change, we want investment for the future. We know that we cannot reverse 13 years of mismanagement in one budget.
"So we have asked of the Scottish Government in this year’s budget is to take a step in the right direction, to take a step towards real change.
“Can the Minister please tell me exactly how their spending plans will meet our ambitions to invest in the future for all of Scotland?
"Will it actually tackle climate change?
"Will it allow our young people the freedom and independence to get to work and play?
"Will it educate our young people and workforce for the challenges ahead? Will it equip our Councils to protect our communities?
"Will it, for once and for all, put an end to delayed discharge?”
Rhoda Grant MSP’s speech in full
“Despite the additional powers and financial levers that have come to the Scottish Parliament over the last decade the SNP Government have failed to maximise their use, leaving our economy, our people and our essential services worse off.
“They have endeavoured to hide this through smoke and mirrors, and this is the case again today, but they must come clean with the Scottish people and tell them the choices they are making on their behalf.
“Scottish Labour wants transformational change.
"We want investment for the future. We know that we cannot reverse 13 years of mismanagement in one budget.
"So, acknowledging that, we have asked of the Scottish Government in this year’s budget is to take a step in the right direction.
"To take a step towards real change.
“We asked that they invest in the future by tackling climate change by prioritising getting our young people onto buses.
"Scottish Labour delivered free bus travel that was transformational for older people.
"We must now do the same for your young people, giving them choices that will follow them into adulthood. It will benefit the whole country by encouraging everyone out of their cars and to use public transport.
“Scottish Labour is also sick of hearing about people being trapped in hospital when they should be at home.
"It is costing a fortune and holding people hostage. We want to see a step change in local government funding, to allow them to invest in services and help people escape from hospital into the comfort of their own homes.
“We want to boost our economy by investing in the education and skills that our country needs, not only for young people but for everyone, equipping them for the future of automation and digitalisation.
" Our Further and Higher Education used to lead the world. Let us aspire to be world leaders again.
“Let our communities thrive again, let us push for excellent health and social care services and let us reverse austerity and change the future.
"Presiding officer, this budget is a disappointment and what is worse it lets the Scottish people down.
"It’s is time for investment.
“Can the Minister please tell me exactly how their spending plans will meet our ambitions to invest in the future for all of Scotland?
"Will it actually tackle climate change?
" Will it allow our young people freedom and independence to get to work and play?
" Will it educate our young people and workforce for the challenges ahead?
"Will it equip our Councils to protect our communities?
" Will it, for once and for all, put an end to delayed discharge?”
Today in the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Labour Finance, Jobs and Fair Work Spokesperson, Rhoda Grant MSP, responded to the SNP Government’s budget statement which :
*Has not met Scottish Labour’s ask for free bus travel for all under 25’s
*Has not yet provided a fair deal for local councils with a priority for social care
*Has not yet restored years of underinvestment in Higher Education
*Has not yet taken the radical action desperately needed to tackle the climate crisis
Commenting, Scottish Labour Finance, Jobs and Fair Work Spokesperson, Rhoda Grant MSP, said:
“Despite the additional powers that have come to the Scottish Parliament over the last decade the SNP Government have failed to maximise their use, leaving our economy, our people and our essential services worse off. "They have endeavoured to hide this through smoke and mirrors but they must come clean with the Scottish people.
“Scottish Labour wants transformational change, we want investment for the future. We know that we cannot reverse 13 years of mismanagement in one budget.
"So we have asked of the Scottish Government in this year’s budget is to take a step in the right direction, to take a step towards real change.
“Can the Minister please tell me exactly how their spending plans will meet our ambitions to invest in the future for all of Scotland?
"Will it actually tackle climate change?
"Will it allow our young people the freedom and independence to get to work and play?
"Will it educate our young people and workforce for the challenges ahead? Will it equip our Councils to protect our communities?
"Will it, for once and for all, put an end to delayed discharge?”
Rhoda Grant MSP’s speech in full
“Despite the additional powers and financial levers that have come to the Scottish Parliament over the last decade the SNP Government have failed to maximise their use, leaving our economy, our people and our essential services worse off.
“They have endeavoured to hide this through smoke and mirrors, and this is the case again today, but they must come clean with the Scottish people and tell them the choices they are making on their behalf.
“Scottish Labour wants transformational change.
"We want investment for the future. We know that we cannot reverse 13 years of mismanagement in one budget.
"So, acknowledging that, we have asked of the Scottish Government in this year’s budget is to take a step in the right direction.
"To take a step towards real change.
“We asked that they invest in the future by tackling climate change by prioritising getting our young people onto buses.
"Scottish Labour delivered free bus travel that was transformational for older people.
"We must now do the same for your young people, giving them choices that will follow them into adulthood. It will benefit the whole country by encouraging everyone out of their cars and to use public transport.
“Scottish Labour is also sick of hearing about people being trapped in hospital when they should be at home.
"It is costing a fortune and holding people hostage. We want to see a step change in local government funding, to allow them to invest in services and help people escape from hospital into the comfort of their own homes.
“We want to boost our economy by investing in the education and skills that our country needs, not only for young people but for everyone, equipping them for the future of automation and digitalisation.
" Our Further and Higher Education used to lead the world. Let us aspire to be world leaders again.
“Let our communities thrive again, let us push for excellent health and social care services and let us reverse austerity and change the future.
"Presiding officer, this budget is a disappointment and what is worse it lets the Scottish people down.
"It’s is time for investment.
“Can the Minister please tell me exactly how their spending plans will meet our ambitions to invest in the future for all of Scotland?
"Will it actually tackle climate change?
" Will it allow our young people freedom and independence to get to work and play?
" Will it educate our young people and workforce for the challenges ahead?
"Will it equip our Councils to protect our communities?
" Will it, for once and for all, put an end to delayed discharge?”