Local MSP calls for opposition parties to support investment in Scotland’s capital
Labour and the Lib Dems should stop aligning with the party of austerity, according to Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson. The SNP MSP has challenged opposition parties to now back the Scottish Government’s support for jobs, wages and public services in Edinburgh after the government’s budget was passed at Holyrood this week.
Even under extreme budgetary pressure from Westminster, the Scottish Government’s budget will benefit Scotland’s capital city with commitments to spend £230m to deliver new Sick Children’s Hospital and Department of Clinical Neurosciences in Edinburgh, £1.3bn for NHS Lothian and support for a National Trauma Centre, Mr Macpherson said.
The Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP has condemned the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems for choosing to oppose investment in communities throughout Edinburgh.
SNP MSP Ben Macpherson said: “Despite continuing Tory austerity, the Scottish Government’s budget will deliver above inflation investment in the NHS, including an Elective Care Centre and a National Trauma Centre.
“Edinburgh itself will benefit from a range of direct spending commitments, including £230m to deliver new Sick Children’s Hospital and Department of Clinical Neurosciences in Edinburgh, and £1.3bn for NHS Lothian.
“This comes on top of additional funding for health and social care partnerships and for schools, with £7m attainment cash going directly to primary and secondary schools across Edinburgh.
“Additionally, 62% of businesses in Edinburgh will see either a reduction in their rates or no change at all after the revaluation. It’s time for the opposition to get behind this strong package of investment for Scotland’s capital city.”
The budget gives Edinburgh:
- Promote City Deal case
- Continue Growth Accelerator model
- Rail network enhancement (Edinburgh Glasgow Improvements Programme)
- Elective Care Centre
- National Trauma Centre
- £230m to deliver new Sick Children’s Hospital and Department of Clinical Neurosciences in Edinburgh
- Support work of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (£11.3m)
- Complete Glasgow QS to Edinburgh Waverley electrification
- Edinburgh Tram Inquiry
- Continue electrification of Glasgow to Edinburgh via Shotts line
- NLS Causewayside Refurbishment
- £1.3bn for NHS Lothian
- Royal Edinburgh Hospital Campus redevelopment phase 1
- Newbattle Centre construction
- Lothian Partnership Centre Bundle
- Funding to complete the Queensferry Crossing
- Continue design and development of the grade separation of Sheriffhall Roundabout.
Speaking in Thursday’s budget debate, Tory finance spokesman Murdo Fraser told Holyrood that the finance secretary had chosen to “sit down with the anti-business Greens and produce a budget that will entrench our economic underperformance”, while Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said the government had teamed up with the Greens to impose £170m worth of cuts to public services. She said: “These cuts will harm everybody – but they will hurt the poorest the most.”
Ms Dugdale has also pledged to fight ‘tirelessly’ to save the Union in the likely event there will be a second independence referendum, possibly as early as next year. She told Labour’s conference in Perth: “The Labour Party I lead will never support independence. It’s not an escape from Tory rule, it’s not an escape from Brexit, it’s not an alternative, it’s the same old song that the SNP has been singing for decades.
“It’s time Nicola Sturgeon changed her tune. “I want the first minister of Scotland to focus on the Scottish NHS, on our economy and on our schools. I don’t want a first minister whose priority is the constitution.”
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