SNP leader, John Swinney in Barrowfield Glasgow
- 14 days ago
Scotland's first minister John Swinney has called on Sir Keir Starmer to commit to an emergency budget if Labour win the general election.
During a speech in Glasgow, the SNP leader said there was a broad consensus to "get rid of the Tories", but voiced concerns about who would replace them.
He added Scottish voters were likely to be in "disappointed" in the alternative being offered by the Labour party.
Mr Swinney reaffirmed his party's commitment to eradicating child poverty and stimulating economic growth.
He told the the crowd of media and SNP activists at Barrowfield community centre there were "stark choices" to be made during this election.
He said the choice was between SNP, who he said would fight to protect the interests of Scottish people, or Labour who would “take their orders from a London-based prime minister”.
The first minister said said: "On austerity the Labour party has made it clear that there will be no increases in income tax, no increases in corporation tax, no increases in national insurance, no increases in VAT.
"They've signed up to the tight fiscal limits of the Tories, they’ve signed up to tight borrowing that is austerity on steroids from the Labour party."
He called on Labour leader Sir Keir to commit to delivering an emergency budget “very swiftly” should he be elected prime minister.
Prior to the speech, the SNP leader spent the morning in the Glasgow south constituency, meeting the owners of Merry-Go-Round - a charity shop for baby clothes and toys, focused on helping families save money.
He accused the Conservatives of delivering 14 years of austerity in Scotland, which he claimed had "inflicted hardship" on people in communities like those in Glasgow.
The first minister said people across Scotland have had to "wrestle" with challenges of hyper inflation and rising prices for food and energy as a "consequence of Westminster mismanagement".
'Bodyblow' to Scottish jobs
Mr Swinney also responded to Labour's plans to create a publicly-owned renewable energy company.
He warned the plans for a GB Energy company would be a "bodyblow" to the Scottish economy".
He added the plans would not reduce household bills "any time soon", but "will reduce employment" in the north east of Scotland.
Great British Energy would be headquartered in Scotland, where much of the UK's oil and gas and offshore wind industries are based.
Sir Keir Starmer has said the move would bring a "huge number" of skilled jobs to Scotland.
During a speech in Glasgow, the SNP leader said there was a broad consensus to "get rid of the Tories", but voiced concerns about who would replace them.
He added Scottish voters were likely to be in "disappointed" in the alternative being offered by the Labour party.
Mr Swinney reaffirmed his party's commitment to eradicating child poverty and stimulating economic growth.
He told the the crowd of media and SNP activists at Barrowfield community centre there were "stark choices" to be made during this election.
He said the choice was between SNP, who he said would fight to protect the interests of Scottish people, or Labour who would “take their orders from a London-based prime minister”.
The first minister said said: "On austerity the Labour party has made it clear that there will be no increases in income tax, no increases in corporation tax, no increases in national insurance, no increases in VAT.
"They've signed up to the tight fiscal limits of the Tories, they’ve signed up to tight borrowing that is austerity on steroids from the Labour party."
He called on Labour leader Sir Keir to commit to delivering an emergency budget “very swiftly” should he be elected prime minister.
Prior to the speech, the SNP leader spent the morning in the Glasgow south constituency, meeting the owners of Merry-Go-Round - a charity shop for baby clothes and toys, focused on helping families save money.
He accused the Conservatives of delivering 14 years of austerity in Scotland, which he claimed had "inflicted hardship" on people in communities like those in Glasgow.
The first minister said people across Scotland have had to "wrestle" with challenges of hyper inflation and rising prices for food and energy as a "consequence of Westminster mismanagement".
'Bodyblow' to Scottish jobs
Mr Swinney also responded to Labour's plans to create a publicly-owned renewable energy company.
He warned the plans for a GB Energy company would be a "bodyblow" to the Scottish economy".
He added the plans would not reduce household bills "any time soon", but "will reduce employment" in the north east of Scotland.
Great British Energy would be headquartered in Scotland, where much of the UK's oil and gas and offshore wind industries are based.
Sir Keir Starmer has said the move would bring a "huge number" of skilled jobs to Scotland.