Meeting of the Parliament 23 February 2017
That might well be the case, but the point is that, locally, Labour councillors and Jackie Baillie in particular have berated the freezing of the council tax, yet Labour has continued that freeze. That is what we are talking about.
We have the business bonus, but we also have the social bonus of free further education, free prescriptions and free bus passes, among other benefits that are exclusive to Scotland. I am sad that the Tories are demanding a tax reduction for the highest paid. Should we not maintain the principle that the more a person earns, the more they contribute? There are many higher earners who will gladly contribute their fair share, and I thank them for that.
The Scottish budget protects Scottish services. We have invested in education, and I welcome the new funds that are set to be given to schools. Most of the schools in my constituency will benefit from that funding. More important, more funding will go through the mechanism to underprivileged pupils. That will help to improve the life chances of many young people, and it will also help to reduce the attainment gap, as the Government has vowed to do.
The funding increase for universities and colleges is excellent news and, as I have said, free education will continue. If the Tories had their way, everyone would have to pay the huge fees that apply down south. Every person, no matter what their background is, should get the chance to have a great education if they so choose. The SNP is delivering on its promises.
Poverty scars Scotland. The problem is historical, but we are tackling it. Many of my constituents will benefit from the Scottish Government continuing to mitigate the impact of the hated bedroom tax. Many in my constituency will also benefit from the Scottish welfare fund, which will clear up the mess that the UK Government’s punitive welfare programme has left. The wheels are in motion for a new Scottish social security system. With the powers that we have, we will run welfare with dignity and respect.
Economic growth is the key to Scotland’s prosperity. With the few tools that we have, we are still driving economic growth. We have invested £4 billion in our infrastructure. Most of us will have seen the amazing developments that are taking place, such as the motorway projects on the M8 and the M74 and the stunning Queensferry crossing. Many more projects are progressing across the country. They are all drivers of economic growth and will improve the lives of millions.
The SNP Government is building our economy. My Clydebank constituency boasts one of the finest heart surgery hospitals in the world. The Golden Jubilee national hospital is to receive a multimillion-pound expansion and 700 new jobs, which are not being transferred—they are brand-new jobs in the local economy. I also note that health and social care partnerships help some of my most vulnerable constituents.
The budget is about economic growth, investment in our public services and social justice. It is about protecting our most vulnerable from the class war that is waged by the Tories, making Scotland’s economy prosper and investing in and protecting public services. I call on all MSPs to back the budget tonight.
15:58