Sturgeon is ‘concerned’ about budget
NICOLA Sturgeon said she is “profoundly concerned” about what lies ahead in next week’s government autumn budget.
Scotland’s First Minister said the UK was in an “incredibly difficult” position after meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt last night at the British-Irish Council summit in Blackpool.
Speaking to reporters on Friday after the summit concluded, Ms Sturgeon said “I don’t know the detail, obviously, of the statement the Chancellor will deliver, next week, I like everybody else can read the signals, can read the runes of that.
“I don’t think it will come as any surprise to hear me say, I’m profoundly concerned at what we may hear from the Chancellor on Thursday.”
Jeremy Hunt has warned he will make “eye-watering” decisions after the economy shrank in what is predicted to be the beginning of a long recession.
This will include painful public spending cuts and tax hikes to fill the so-called black hole in the nation’s finances.
Ms Sturgeon, who described recent political turmoil in Westminster as “sub optimal”, said she was willing to “wipe the slate clean” and welcomed Rishi Sunak’s attendance at the British-Irish Council summit.
But she said the NHS needs more money and protecting the most vulnerable in society was essential.
She said: “My view, the Scottish government’s view is these decisions must be taken in a way that helps, not further harms those most vulnerable in our society. For example ensuring that benefits increase in line with inflation is essential to avoid further widening of the inequality gap and the erosion of the incomes of those that are at the bottom.”