Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has hailed the recent Budget delivered by Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves as a groundbreaking move that marks the end of austerity. In an article written for the Daily Record, Sarwar emphasised the importance of fulfilling the promise made by Labour to end austerity and provide substantial investment in public services and economic growth.
Sarwar highlighted the historical significance of Rachel Reeves being the first woman to deliver a Labour budget in 14 years. The budget includes a significant increase in funding for Scotland, with the UK Government investing a total of £47.7 billion in Scotland’s future, including a £3.4 billion increase for Scotland’s budget in 2025/26.
The Scottish Labour leader outlined various key points from the budget, such as compensation for victims of the infected blood scandal and the horizon post office scandal, the establishment of a Covid Corruption Commissioner to recover funds from questionable PPE deals, extending the fuel duty cut, addressing the miner’s pension scandal, raising the National Living Wage, implementing a windfall tax on oil and gas profits, and providing resources for GB Energy.
Sarwar stressed the importance of ensuring that the newfound funds are used effectively to support the people of Scotland and improve public services, while also criticising the SNP government’s track record of mismanagement, particularly in public services and the economy.
Looking ahead, Sarwar called for a collaborative effort between the UK and Scottish governments to maximise the benefits of the transformative Labour budget for Scotland. He reiterated the need for a Scottish Labour government to address the failures of the past and move towards a brighter future.