The Labour candidate in Gordon has highlighted statistics showing the impact of Scottish independence on public spending and has challenged Alex Salmond over the SNP’s financial policies.
Neil Cardwell is urging Mr Salmond to tell voters in Gordon whether he would raise taxes or cut public spending in order to address a £6bn shortfall between public revenues and expenditure identified in an independent report.
The annual report of Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland for 2004/05 shows public expenditure in Scotland exceeding revenues by £11.2bn with North Sea oil revenues excluded. With all North Sea Oil output attributed to Scotland, the deficit stands at £6bn.
Neil Cardwell said:
“Scotland currently benefits from a high level of public spending per citizen because we are part of the union.
“In contrast to this “Union Dividend”, an independent Scotland would face a substantial shortfall between receipts and public spending.
“A SNP administration would face a stark choice between increasing taxes or reducing vital spending in order to balance the books.”
Mr Cardwell believes that there a number of questions Mr Salmond needs to answer about the financial basis of his independence policy. He said:
“Given that, even with North Sea Oil revenues included, an independent Scotland would face a shortfall in public expenditure, Alex Salmond needs to provide voters in Gordon with answers about the cost of choosing independence.
“Mr Salmond needs to tell us how he would address the shortfall in public revenues and somehow fund the SNP’s ever-growing wish list of policy commitments.
“Would he support higher taxes for hard-working families in Gordon or would he rather see cuts in our local health and education services?
“Would vital policies such as free concessionary travel for older people be put at risk in order to pay for independence?
“I would like to hear a firm assurance that they would not.
“I think local voters deserve to hear answers to these questions before making up their mind who to support in next year’s elections.”
Link : Gordon Labour Party website >>>
