Scotsman.com view

SNP GOVERNMENT UNDERSPENDS BUDGET BY ALMOST £200M This underspend is not a virtuous thing. When education and the NHS are suffering from lack of investment, when the roads infrastructure needs work, when people need homes and food banks are in practically every town, this is not the time to be keeping back money.

- Agnes Angry The SNP should be ashamed of themselves next time they mention food banks as they have had the money all along to eradicate them.

- Facts not Theory Scotland’s government doesn’t have the power to borrow money, so they have to underspend so that there’s money available for unforeseen circumstances.

- R Mackie Was the underspend due to spending plans not being fulfilled or was it deliberately planned as a counterweight to this year’s budget cut? Once this is clarified a more nuanced opinion can be formed as to the Scottish Government’s economic management skills.

- Simonmqb Underspending is bad management and it’s entirely predictable that if you do so then your budget will be cut.

- Fluffye So the SNP would be chastised for overspending and are being chastised for being frugal.

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Itslikethis How convenient – an election coming up and suddenly there is another £200 million to bribe the people with.

- GDR57 John Swinney is a master of the sterile statement, washed clean of all meaning.

- Dreams of

Caledonia Well done, Mr Swinney. Your prudence is a credit in this day and age of deficit and debt, boom and bust.

- Leomaris