Keir Starmer calls on SNP Government to be 'honest' about their budget black hole

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meeting First Minister of Scotland John Swinney at Bute House.
-Credit: (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)


Keir Starmer has urged the SNP Government to be “honest” about the financial “mess” they are in. The Labour Prime Minister accused the SNP of “desperately” trying to blame his party for their budget black hole.

SNP Ministers last week announced £500m of cuts in a bid to pay for public sector pay deals. Peak rail fares were re-introduced as part of the cost-saving drive and a rollout of universal free school meals was also axed.

First Minister John Swinney has blamed Labour “austerity” but experts at the Scottish Fiscal Commission said “much” of his Government’s finance pressures were caused by their own decisions.

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Speaking to the Scottish media in Downing Street, Starmer laid into the Tories for cuts his Government is having to make, such as slashing the Winter Fuel Payment.

But he also hit out at the SNP: “I think it's time the SNP were honest about the mess that they actually made for themselves. They've been in power for 17 years.

"They're desperately flailing around trying to blame a government of eight weeks for the mistakes that they've made. You saw this from the Scottish Fiscal Commission, about the responsibility the SNP have for their own finances.

"So just as we're being honest about our inheritance and honest about the difficult decisions we have to make, I think it's time the SNP were honest about the financial mess which is of their own making over the last 17 years."

Starmer warned of tough decisions in the short-term, but said Scotland is key to his Government. He said: “Scotland is really central to the change we want to bring about. We know we’ve got a mandate for change, we know we’ve got an absolute duty to deliver that change.

“There is no end to the challenges on the economy on the £22billion black hole we have uncovered, but I am absolutely clear in my mind we have a mandate for change and we will deliver change.

“And even the tough decisions we’re having to make now are all against that backdrop, and the absolute determination we will deliver change, but we can only do that if we fix the foundations.

“In Scotland that change matters more than anywhere, Scotland is central. If you look at the economy it is central to what we want to do in terms of the mission to grow the economy, always has been, always will be. On energy, really big plans on energy. But also on the council of nations and regions, which we promised to set up, we will set up.”

He also contrasted difficult decisions in the short term with a brighter future ahead, saying: “The hope here is a very real hope which is you actually build the secure foundations then you get a better house, you get something built to last. That’s what I want to do for the whole of the United Kingdom.

“I accept these are the hard yards, the difficult decisions, but actually the hope is huge. The potential of the different Scotland we will be able to help deliver will impact every single member of Scotland.”

Meanwhile, Starmer used a speech at the TUC to defend his plan for beefed up rights for workers. Proposals include banning “exploitative” zero-hours contracts, ending fire and re-hire, and making parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal available from day one for workers.

Flexible working will be the default from the first day in a job while it will be unlawful to sack a woman who has had a baby for six months after she returns to work. The Employment Rights Bill will also remove some restrictions on trade unions.

He told trade unionists: “Business leaders are not knocking on my door saying they want to rip up employee rights. They don’t tell me the problems they face will be solved by coming for trade unions.

“They want fair taxes, high skills and the long-term stability to invest. And that chimes precisely with what trade unions up and down the country tell me they also want. Working people want good companies to make profits, attract investment and create good jobs.”

Starmer described the Conservative measures as “cheap and vindictive attacks on this movement”.

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