For immediate release

Rutherglen Constituency MSP, Clare Haughey, has said that the SNP Scottish Government’s Budget will “deliver progress for Scotland, by Scotland”.

Speaking after the Cabinet Secretary’s announcements last week, Ms Haughey said that the Government had listened carefully to the people of Scotland, and are taking action on their concerns.

She highlighted actions such as the record £2 billion increase in frontline NHS spending, which, the local MSP says, will increase capacity and access to GPs, substantially reduce delayed discharges from hospital, and reduce waiting times. 

The Budget also provides £768 million for affordable housing, in a move welcomed by homelessness charity Shelter Scotland and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation amongst other organisations. 

Further, the Budget will reintroduce universal winter heating payments for pensioners next year after they were axed by the UK Labour Government, and scrap Labour’s two child benefit cap – lifting 15,000 children out of poverty, welcomed by the Child Poverty Action Group. 

Commenting, Clare Haughey said;

“I am delighted at the support John Swinney’s first Budget is offering for people in Rutherglen and Cambuslang. 

“The First Minister has listened to what people have told him on the NHS – that’s why he is investing record amounts and throwing the whole weight of the government behind improving the health service, making it easier for people to see their GP and bringing down waiting times.

“While Labour cut winter fuel payments, the SNP is introducing universal support, and while they push families into poverty with the cruel two-child benefit cap, the SNP will scrap it and give thousands of children a better chance in life.

“All this is being achieved while delivering the fairest tax system in the UK – with the majority of people in Scotland paying less tax than south of the border.  At this Budget, all income taxpayers will see a slight tax cut – which along with other policies, will help low- and middle-income earners who are hard pressed.

“With this Budget, the SNP Government are listening to people’s concerns, and taking strong and decisive action to deliver on their priorities. I would urge my opposition colleagues in the Parliament to do the same, choose differently, and back this budget.”

ENDS