Jones must reveal stance on proposed £4 billion cut to Scottish Budget

Carwyn Jones has been challenged to use his visit to Scotland to set out the specific cuts to Scotland’s budget that he wants to see happen in the event of a No vote, after the Holtham Commission previously suggested Scotland’s budget could be cut by £4 billion in a single year.

The Welsh First Minister is set to address an audience at the University of Edinburgh today (Wednesday) on the future of the UK, having previously argued strongly that the Barnett formula should be abolished in its present form as part of moves to bring more powers to Wales. However, a report by the Independent Commission on Funding and Finance for Wales revealed that such moves could see Scotland’s budget slashed by £4 billion in a single year.

Scotland currently generates 9.9% of UK tax revenues, but receives just 9.3% of UK public spending. The prospect of changes to the Barnett formula would see further money taken from Scotland in order to boost spending in Wales – a move that Carwyn Jones should come clean with people in Scotland about.

Commenting, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani said:

“Carywn Jones has never been shy about his desire to change the Barnett formula in a way that would disadvantage Scotland.

“The Welsh First Minister has the perfect opportunity to use his visit to Scotland to spell out to people here just how much he wants Scotland’s budget cut by if there is a No vote next year.

“With a Welsh Commission suggesting that Scotland’s funding could be cut by a staggering £4 billion in a single year, these are major cuts that are being proposed which would have a devastating impact on communities across Scotland.

“Scotland already more than pays its own way in the UK, but the dismal future being offered by the No campaign would see people in Scotland disadvantaged even further.

“With all of the UK parties lining up to cut Scotland’s budget if there’s a No vote, only the full powers of an independent Scotland will ensure that all of Scotland’s resources are used to benefit people living here.

“The fairest solution for everyone is for Scotland to gain full control over our own tax and spending decisions and only a YES vote next year will secure that for people in Scotland.”