TORY TAX POLICY WOULD COST MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN HEALTHCARE SERVICES £30.3 MILLION

ORIES SACRIFICE NHS FOR THEIR ‘IDEOLOGICAL UNIONISM’ 
 
Tory opposition to last week’s Scottish Government budget would mean cuts to the healthcare services in Midlothian of an estimated £17.3million and East Lothian an estimated £20million exposing how “they will always prioritise their ideological unionism above adequately funding the NHS”, says SNP MSP Colin Beattie. 
  
Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: 
  
“The Tories' dispiriting yet predictable response to John Swinney’s penny-for-patient-care budget measure proves yet again that they will always prioritise their ideological unionism above adequately funding the NHS – regardless of the effects on patient care. 
  
“While the Scottish Government announced modest tax rises on the better paid to be spent protecting our NHS, the Tories are effectively proposing a cut in NHS funding of at least £1billion across Scotland – and that works out at an estimated £30.3million in Midlothian and East Lothian. 
  
"The changes the Scottish Government has made to income tax mean around £1 billion-a-year extra is being raised than if we matched UK rates. Our progressive tax policies mean we can deliver record funding for the NHS, up by more than £1 billion and substantially more than we receive from the UK Government for health spending. 
  
“The Tories clearly don’t agree the NHS should be the priority. They believe Scotland should just fall into line with Westminster’s income tax policies no matter what the cost. 
  
“Let’s not forget, that is exactly what they wanted John Swinney to do after Kwasi Kwarteng and Liz Truss’s disastrous budget just a few short months ago. If the Scottish Government had listened to them then we would be in an even more dire situation because of Westminster mismanagement of the economy. 
  
“While the ideological Tories are prepared to sacrifice the NHS and the care of patients across Scotland in a misguided attempt to protect their failed union, the SNP Scottish Government will continue to take the tough decisions that best protect the people of Scotland.” 
  

   
NOTE - Tory response to the budget here: 
  
Scottish Conservatives on Twitter: John Swinney's tax hikes will widen the income tax gap between Scotland and the rest of the UK - driving away talent and jobs, while hitting 500,000 middle-earning Scots in the pocket. The SNP's Budget will stifle our economic growth.