SNP has failed to bring real change after a decade in power say Tories
The Scottish Conservatives have called for a new direction in economic policy, claiming the Scottish Government “doesn’t understand the economy”.
Tory economy spokesman Dean Lockhart said the proposed measures in Nicola Sturgeon’s Programme for Government, which include opening the door to tax rises, were “not the answer”.
Mr Lockhart said: “Ten years is more than enough time for any government to prove whether or not it can deliver meaningful change.
“This is government that has shown time and again that it doesn’t understand the economy and is incapable of real- 0 Dean Lockhart: ‘It’s time for a new direction’ ising Scotland’s potential.
“After a decade of SNP mismanagement, it’s time for a new direction in economic policy and this programme for government is not the answer.”
The First Minister said the government would publish a paper setting out the current distribution of income-tax liabilities in Scotland and analysis of ‘’a variety of different options, including the proposals of the other parties across parliament’’, ahead of the budget. She also announced the establishment of a Scottish National Investment Bank and pledged to “urgently respond” to the recommendations of the Barclay Review of business rates.
Environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham emphasised the focus on green policies in the legislative programme, including increasing targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90 per cent by 2050 and to phase out petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032.
She said Scotland “must accelerate our transition to a low carbon economy”.