Concerns over budget plans for justice

Following today's budget statement, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice John Lamont MSP, said:

"I have two concerns regarding Mr. Swinney's statement:

"Firstly, regarding policing, as an effective opposition party we made it our priority to ensure that the SNP honoured its election pledge of providing 1,000 extra police officers.

"We have proved in the past and are willing to prove again that this is a priority for the Scottish Conservatives and one that we are not going to abandon – we will strive to ensure the SNP keep their pledge and it is essential that we do not see a fall in police figures.

"Public safety remains a top priority with the Scottish Conservatives and must remain a top priority in Scotland.

"Secondly, regarding legal aid, what Mr. Swinney has presented us with is not real reform – merely tinkering round the edges.

"With prisoners still using taxpayers' cash for legal aid, the amount of legal aid for NHS negligence suits on the rise and the legal aid bill for asylum seekers on the up; it is vital that we have a real solution to a problem that Scotland will soon not be able to afford.

"The UK Government is having a fundamental look at the legal aid system; this SNP Government needs to do the same."

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