[SGP News] SNP PROPOSE BUDGET THE TORIES WOULD BE PROUD OF
From: greencomms@scottish.parliament.uk MEDIA RELEASE GREEN MSPs 20 September 2012 SNP PROPOSE BUDGET THE TORIES WOULD BE PROUD OF Scottish Greens are describing the draft budget outlined today by Finance Secretary John Swinney as one the Tories would be proud of. The SNP Government is proposing a one per cent pay cap on public sector workers, copying the Coalition and representing the continuation of a real-terms cut. Mr Swinney also plans to cut funds to local authorities by half a billion pounds while continuing a council tax freeze that unfairly benefits the wealthy and restricts councils' ability to raise revenue for public services. SNP ministers also want to plough an extra £26million into roadbuilding, adding to a growing maintenance backlog and failing to tackle rising carbon emissions and continued air pollution in city centres. Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, said: "Never mind shovel-ready, the SNP are wielding the axe just like the Tories and their partners in crime the Libdems. Mr Swinney is continuing to throttle local authorities and make the wrong choices with precious resources. "I fail to see how these spending plans will reduce the growing inequality in our society, empower our communities, support small businesses or give people their transport choices back." "The SNP are picking the pockets of the least well off to pay for a bonus for big business." (Ends) Jason Rose Head of Media The Green MSPs – Patrick Harvie and Alison Johnstone MG05 The Scottish Parliament Holyrood Edinburgh EH99 1SP 0131 348 6360 07500 792995 @greenmsps _______________________________________________ SGP News mailing list. See http://lists.scottishgreens.org.uk/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/news for information and list options. List owned and maintained by the Scottish Green Party. Queries and problems: news-owner@lists.scottishgreens.org.uk list-unsubscribe: news-request@lists.scottishgreens.org.uk?subject=unsubscribe _______________________________________________