Mackay bids to defend draft Budget

FINANCE Secretary Derek Mackay has denied accusations of “double counting” in the Scottish Government draft Budget.

Economic think tank the Fraser of Allander Institute and the impartial Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Spice) said the Government’s 17/18 draft Budget counted money for local government social care that had already been allocated in the health budget.

Elaine Smith, the deputy convener of Holyrood’s Local Government and Communities Committee, asked: “If it’s going to be counted in local government, should it also then be counted in health?”

Mr Mackay replied: “The transfer that exists from health to social care is the same as in previous years. There’s no double counting in that it’s certainly part of local government services.”

Committee convener Bob Doris questioned if the current set-up is “needlessly complex”.