Chamber
Plenary, 22 Mar 2007
22 Mar 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
First Minister's Question Time
Budget
I should make clear that my Liberal Democrat coalition partners would take a different approach on this issue. Having made that clear, I am delighted to defend the budget. The reality is that the budget cut corporation tax. Last week, the SNP was calling for that; this week, it is squealing about it. The reality is that the budget cut income tax. Last week, the SNP was proposing to put up income tax; this week, we are bringing it down. The reality is that we are giving people help to get into work and helping families through child benefit, which will make a difference to every family here in Scotland.
All this help and assistance, with stable growth in the UK economy, is painted against an alternative from the Scottish National Party that would see a rise in income tax of 3p in the pound. The SNP's poll tax is only the first instalment of the £5,000 or more that the SNP would cost every hard-working family in Scotland.
Everybody in Scotland knows that the SNP is unfit to govern and run our economy, and would create havoc with jobs and investment in Scotland. I am sure that the SNP will learn the cost of that over the next few weeks.
All this help and assistance, with stable growth in the UK economy, is painted against an alternative from the Scottish National Party that would see a rise in income tax of 3p in the pound. The SNP's poll tax is only the first instalment of the £5,000 or more that the SNP would cost every hard-working family in Scotland.
Everybody in Scotland knows that the SNP is unfit to govern and run our economy, and would create havoc with jobs and investment in Scotland. I am sure that the SNP will learn the cost of that over the next few weeks.
In the same item of business
4. Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab):
Lab
To ask the First Minister what impact the Chancellor of the Exchequer's budget will have on Scotland. (S2F-2794)
The First Minister (Mr Jack McConnell):
Lab
The budget is, of course, set against a backdrop of unprecedented economic prosperity in Scotland and the UK. We have a record number of Scots in work, a his...
Margaret Jamieson:
Lab
I thank the First Minister for his reply.Yesterday's budget provides the lowest basic rate of income tax in 75 years, which of course will be of benefit to m...
The First Minister:
Lab
I should make clear that my Liberal Democrat coalition partners would take a different approach on this issue. Having made that clear, I am delighted to defe...
Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Does the First Minister realise that, as a result of Gordon Brown's budget yesterday, low-paid workers earning only £7,500 a year will see their income tax b...
The First Minister:
Lab
The only robbing going on in the chamber at the moment is the robbing of statistics by the SNP and, of course, the deception that it tries to pull on the peo...