Meeting of the Parliament 21 February 2018
I will certainly not follow Labour’s chaotic and damaging tax plans, which would result in less resource than it claims. On non-domestic rates, I have not followed the Barclay recommendations and have supported the Dundee regional performance centre for sport. Surely Jenny Marra welcomes that decision.
In supporting the NHS, the Government continues to support free personal care and the roll-out of Frank’s law by April 2019.
The budget is about investing in a fairer Scotland. Yes, there is divergence from the UK. Our investments mean that students do not pay tuition fees, people who are ill do not pay prescription charges and our citizens are not vulnerable to the bedroom tax. I am proud to represent the only Government in the UK to lift the pay cap and offer a real pay rise to our public sector staff. We will also offer the most attractive system of business rates, invest in social rented housing—delivering at more than double the rate in England—and provide above-inflation investment in local government, the police and the NHS. That is the best deal anywhere in the UK and that is why a recent YouGov poll showed that the Scottish public support our proportionate approach.
When it comes to decision time, I invite members to support a budget that means that Scotland will be not only the fairest-taxed part of the UK but, for the majority of taxpayers, the lowest-taxed part of the UK. The budget reverses the real-terms cut that Westminster has imposed on our resource budget and delivers £1.2 billion of additional investment in public services and the economy. It protects our students, our elderly in need of care, our council services and our police services and it invests in the national health service. It delivers the best deal for taxpayers in the whole UK. It protects all that we hold dear while investing in our nation’s future and makes use of the Parliament’s powers to put the Government’s progressive values into action. I commend it to the chamber.
I move,
That the Parliament agrees that the Budget (Scotland) (No 2) Bill be passed.
15:08