The UK budget was published in error by the Office for Budget Responsibility ahead of the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, standing up in the House of Commons to deliver her budget speech.
This was unprecedented and, according to The Scottish Finance Secretary, it shrieks chaos.
The whole content of the budget speech is here.
Chaos
Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “This Budget has been absolute chaos from start to finish. Westminster has been consumed with leaks, briefings and out and out incompetence – with Scotland left as an afterthought and families left to pay the price.
“We needed a step change from the UK Government with investment in public services, support for jobs and industry in Scotland and serious action on energy bills. Instead, we got a chaotic mess and the increase in funding for the Scottish Government will not even cover half the cost of the employer’s national insurance contributions brought in this year.
“With UK energy bills £340 higher than the Prime Minister promised even after today’s announcement, the UK Government are not even trying to deliver on the their promises. It is insulting to see the UK Government stand up and trumpet a proposed reduction that does not even cover the increase since they came to office.
“It does not come close to meeting the Prime Minister’s pledge on energy bills – they have not even attempted to keep their promises.
“The electric vehicle tax is the wrong decision for motorists, the climate and for Scotland given its disproportionate impact on rural drivers.
“And there is no serious support for jobs and industry in Scotland. The Energy Profits Levy is to remain in place – risking thousands of jobs in Scotland and in the North East in particular. Yet again, Scotland is an afterthought.
“And while the moves on the two child cap are welcome, they are long overdue and the UK Government has been forced into this position by the Scottish Government and other campaigners. And without a simultaneous change to the benefit cap it falls well short of the bold anti-poverty measures we have been calling for from the UK Government.
“But the complete chaos around this Budget gets to the heart of the fact that we should not be leaving crucial decisions around the economy, public finances and household bills in the hands of a deeply incompetent Westminster UK government. We should take these decisions for ourselves with the fresh start of independence.”
The aftermath of the budget
Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, said:“I am delighted the Chancellor has finally listened to Liberal Democrat calls and removed the unfair two-child benefit cap, and the appalling “rape clause” which have both caused so much difficulty for families across the country.
“While I welcome the investment in Scotland, including critical funding for opportunities at our world-leading universities, there are still missed opportunities.
“Pubs, restaurants and cafes across Edinburgh are crying out for support. This Budget was an excellent opportunity to support them through the winter by cutting VAT to 15% that the Chancellor has missed.
“There is also nothing recognition of the impact that VAT on independent school fees has had on Edinburgh, a City with an above-average number of pupils affected by the changes.
“I will continue to push the Chancellor to act to support communities like Edinburgh West with fairer taxes and a closer relationship with Europe.”
