A Programme Leading to Independence

SNP questioned over new programme
Epolitix
Epolitix - Wednesday, September 3 10:22 am

Alex Salmond is today setting out the Scottish executive's programme for the coming year.
However, opposition parties at Holyrood say the SNP must clarify its flagship policy of replacing council tax with a local income tax (LIT).

Labour's acting leader Cathy Jamieson said: "So far we've seen the SNP's two flagship economic policies, the local income tax and the Scottish futures trust completely discredited and it's time for the SNP now to admit that they are not fit for purpose."

Conservative finance spokesman Derek Brownlee said the nationalists must address the tax issue.

"Whatever else he does, Alex Salmond needs to clear up what his government is going to do on the discredited 'local' income tax plans.

"Will he publish the LIT bill, as he said he would, or will he ditch it, as was hinted over the summer?"

A local income tax has the support of the Liberal Democrats at Holyrood, but there is disagreement over who should set the level.

The nationalists said it would be set at 3p by central government, while the Lib Dems said local councils should set their own level.

Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott said: "The legislative programme is an opportunity for the SNP to turn over a new leaf and propose action that will tackle the real issues for the people of Scotland."

Labour also called for the nationalists to address health issues.

"The SNP's programme for government needs to address the fact that the increase in health spending in Scotland has fallen behind the rest of the UK," Jamieson said.

"It needs to set out measures to ensure that new schools are built, that probationary teachers are not left without jobs and there is action to ensure that class sizes start to fall rather than grow as they are now are in many parts of Scotland."

And the Lib Dem's new leader also said the Holyrood executive should do more to help people ride out the economic downturn.Tavish Scott said: "People all across Scotland are telling me that they are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living and that the shattered housing market is of real concern.

"Gordon Brown's Labour Party have failed them and the SNP prefer spin to real action.

"It is not good enough for the Scottish government to play the blame game with the UK government when they can themselves take action.

"The legislative programme is an opportunity for the SNP to turn over a new leaf and propose action that will tackle the real issues for the people of Scotland."