Responding to claims from John Swinney, Anne McGuire MP today said: 

“The SNP have shown their true face this week. The cynical way in which John Swinney has invented a bogus billion pounds worth of cuts is breathtaking. It is transparent spin to double the figure of efficiencies that the Scottish Government have to make.

“The truth is that in two year’s time the SNP only have to find efficiencies of 1.5% in their budget – and they’ve got two years to find them. The SNP must be the only people in Scotland who think they can’t find these efficiencies. Particularly since UK government departments are already making 50% higher savings in their own budgets. 

“The unavoidable truth for the SNP is that £2bn is going into the pockets of Scots in the form of tax cuts. And this comes on top of the estimated £100bn which has been put into saving Scotland ’s banks. It’s only right that we all pay our fair share – at a time when every family in the country is tightening their belt, governments cannot avoid their responsibilities.

“The SNP economic model is in tatters. The Irish government is cutting services and raising taxes and charges. Iceland is bankrupt. And the price of oil has fallen below a barrel, which would mean that an independent Scotland would be facing a deficit of £4.5bn in its spending plans next year. 

“It is a sign of the utter desperation of the SNP that they have now resorted to fabricating fantasy figures which fool no-one. Soon, people aren’t going to be able to believe a word that they say.”

Scottish Labour finance spokesperson Andy Kerr said:

"Alex Salmond should know better than to try and mislead the Scottish public with his scaremongering. The SNP are desperately trying to spin their way out of trouble with these fantasy figures as they see Salmond's argument for separatism going bust.

"It is hypocritical – the SNP welcomed the Labour government's £2bn stimulus to Scotland that will help young families, pensioners and small businesses. This £2bn comes on the back of £37bn from Labour to save Scotland 's financial sector. Alex Salmond wants to have his cake and eat it but even a child could tell him this is not possible.

"The SNP are afraid to take on any responsibility and Mr Salmond has been found wanting in the crisis. Mr Salmond seems incapable of making a positive contribution and should realise he cannot hoodwink us with claims about oil revenue as everyone knows how volatile it is."

29 November 2008