Scottish ministers must take responsibility for economic strife, says Sarwar

The Scottish Government has been told to “take responsibility” for fixing the country’s economic issues.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has sought to capitalise on dire financial news in recent months by releasing what the party is calling a dossier laying out the extent of Scotland’s “economic decline and financial mismanagement” that can be laid at the foot of ministers.

Ahead of the publication, which was described as a “smokescreen” by the minister responsible for Scotland’s finances, he pointed to divergence in income tax north and south of the border, the reintroduction of peak rail fares following a pilot and cuts to council budgets.

The comments come after Finance Secretary Shona Robison said last week more cuts would be required following the Treasury’s review and in light of public sector pay deals.

On Sunday, it emerged the Scottish Government had written to councils asking them to use £5 million intended for the nature restoration fund to cover local authority pay awards.

“For too long the SNP has forced working Scots to foot the bill for government failure,” Mr Sarwar said.

“As families struggle to make ends meet during a cost-of-living crisis, they shouldn’t have to deal with the added cost of SNP incompetence.

“Taxes keep spiralling while services crumble – but we cannot keep paying more and getting less in return.

“The current budget crisis is the result of years of economic decline and financial mismanagement by the SNP government.

“The SNP must drop the excuses and spin and take responsibility for fixing the mess it has made of public finances.

“Scotland needs change and with the SNP falling further into chaos by the day, it’s clear that only Scottish Labour can deliver it.”

Ms Robison said: “This so-called dossier from Labour’s leader in Scotland is nothing more than a smoke-screen to try and distract from the billions of pounds in cuts that his boss in London is unveiling this week.

“We have delivered a more progressive income tax system in Scotland which ensures those on lowest incomes pay a bit less – and unlocks billions more in investment for public services.

“Of course, the Scottish government operates with a largely fixed budget from Westminster – and if Anas Sarwar really wanted to see more investment in public services in Scotland, he would join with us in standing up to Labour’s austerity agenda at Westminster.”