STUC Comment: Scottish Government Budget 'deeply damaging'
Commenting on the passing of the Scottish Government’s Budget, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said:
"In passing this budget, the Scottish Parliament are passing on cuts that will be deeply damaging to the social fabric of our communities and have let the Scottish Government off the hook. This Budget significantly cuts funding for local government, further and higher education as well as cutting the capital investment needed to tackle both the climate and housing crises. “Make no mistake about it: jobs and livelihoods will be impacted and our movement won’t stay silent as the cuts hit.
"Despite progressive steps to introduce the new £75,000 tax band, called for by the STUC, government ministers have not done enough to plug the gaps from the UK Government’s reduction in funding. The Scottish Government’s Council Tax freeze has made a bad problem worse - restricting revenue for crucial public services while disproportionately benefiting the rich.
"More must be done to raise the vital revenue needed to improve our public services and deliver a greener, more equal economy. Through our tax proposals, we’ve shown that the Scottish Government can stave off the worst of Tory Westminster austerity. It’s entirely within the powers of our Parliament and the Scottish Government to raise an additional £3.7 billion of extra revenue. All we need to see is the political will to achieve it."
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