Brownlee: We need to make the budget better

Tomorrow the Finance Committee will debate Stage 2 of the Budget (Scotland) Bill.

Derek Brownlee MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth, and a member of the Committee, said:

"Concessions forced by the Scottish Conservatives in previous budgets have given us extra police, a Council Tax freeze, cuts in rates for our smallest businesses, a Town Centre Regeneration Fund and much more.

"In addition, we support the pay freeze on salaries over £21,000 to protect jobs and were the first party to call for the protection of the NHS budget in Scotland. This budget can be improved by a greater focus on job creation in the private sector to support and rebalance the Scottish economy, and reform of public services to protect them as budgets fall.

"Ultimately, thanks to Labour's legacy of debt, we need to reduce spending whilst protecting frontline services. The SNP Government has yet to be honest about the challenges we face - we will continue to press them at Stage 2 of the budget debate. The real test for the budget will be at Stage 3."

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