Scotland faces £5bn 'back-door robbery'
Wednesday 01 December 2010
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EmailScottish Socialist Party spokesman Colin Fox warned today that a "cunning" parliamentary Bill handing some extra powers to Scotland will usher in damaging cuts of £5 billion per year, writes Roger Bagley.
The Scotland Bill promises extra tax-raising powers for Holyrood from 2015, plus several new powers including control of speed limits and borrowing of up to £2.7 billion.
Mr Fox described the Bill as a "cunning plan to halt independence." He said it would implement "back-door robbery" of funds from Scotland.
He accused the Westminster coalition of "making huge cuts under the guise of giving Scotland more tax powers, and letting the Scottish government take the flak for higher tax rates if they try to protect services.
"This Bill is simply more desperate unionist tinkering aimed at ensuring that their pro-rich cuts agenda is foisted onto Scotland disguised as a progressive reform," said Mr Fox.
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