Budget: 700 new jobs set for Clydebank as SNP government back hospital expansion

HUNDREDS of new jobs will come to Clydebank as a result of the SNP government’s budget, Clydebank’s MSP has said.

A multi-million-pound expansion of the Golden Jubilee National Hospital will see 700 new jobs — not transfers — when the job is complete.

It comes as the SNP government passes its budget at Holyrood, which also invests in West Dunbartonshire Council to protect local services.

Constituents in Clydebank will also benefit from free education, free care for the elderly, free education, free bus passes and free prescriptions.

He said: “It is excellent news for people in Clydebank that 700 brand new jobs will come to the Golden Jubilee Hospital as a result of this investment by the SNP government. These are real new jobs, not transfers from other parts of the NHS.

“Constituents will benefit locally from the many positive aspects of Scottish life – free education, care for the elderly, childcare, prescriptions and bus passes – as a result of our commitment to helping people in Scotland.

“The people of Clydebank will also benefit from the spate of infrastructure projects progressing in the wider area, like motorway upgrades. All serve to benefit Scotland’s economy.

“I was sad to see the Tories argue for a tax break on the top 10 per cent of earners, like their colleagues in England are overseeing.

“It is unfair and illogical at a time of austerity administered by the UK Tory government that we give tax breaks to the most privileged earners.

“It is simply untrue that Scotland will be the highest part taxed of the UK now, because as independent research by SPICe has found out, any increase will be off-set by a lower council tax across Scotland.”
ENDS

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHKdj8b9rss

KEY POINTS:

• Record £304 million extra investment in the NHS – £120 million above inflation and a significant step towards the commitment of an extra £500 million above inflation over this Parliament;
• Investment in mental health - exceeding £1 billion for the first time.
• £60 million in the workforce and infrastructure to begin expansion in the provision of free early learning and childcare entitlement to 1,140 hours by the end of this Parliament;
• 100,000 businesses removed from business rates completely and a cut in the business tax rate;
• £4 billion of infrastructure investment - focused on key drivers of sustained economic growth;
• Over £470 million of direct capital investment to begin delivery of 50,000 affordable homes across the country;
• Protection of college places and free higher education;
• Free personal care for the elderly and no prescription charges;
• LBTT rates that;
  • take up to an estimated further 10,000 house purchases out of tax compared to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT);
  • ensure that in excess of 90% of house buyers pay no tax or less tax than under stamp duty;
• An additional £160 million – on top of the £240m of additional resources for local services already set out in the draft budget.

FULL SPEECH:
This budget delivers on the promises this SNP government was elected on.

This is a budget created by Scotland for Scotland.

Not dictated to us by Westminster.

Of course – Scotland’s finances are still being strangled by the UK Tory Government.
However, we will not bend to their plan of total austerity.

We will not sell off Scotland’s public services.

We will not bow to privatisation.

We will ensure:

• Economic growth
• Social justice
• And the protection of our services

This is a solid economic plan.

We all found out yesterday from independent research that Scotland is not the highest taxed part of the United Kingdom.

This destroys complaints from the Tories that this was the case.

SPICe found out that any tax rises are mitigated by the lower council tax in Scotland.

And it is important to mention all council tax will be spent locally.

Nationally, Labour is saying increase tax.

But last night Labour West Dunbartonshire Council voted to freeze the council tax – after years of complaining about this freeze.

We have the business bonus but we also have the social bonus: free further education, free prescriptions and free bus passes, among other benefits exclusive to Scotland.

But I am sad to see the Tories demand a tax reduction for the highest paid.

Should we not maintain the principle, the more you earn the more you return?

Thankfully, there are many higher earners who will gladly contribute their fair share.

The party of the fortunate, whose Westminster cabinet is jam-packed with millionaires.

Presiding Officer, the only purse that matters to me is the public purse.

This Scottish budget protects Scottish services.

We have invested in education.

Funds set to be given to all schools in Clydebank.

But importantly, MORE funding will go to under privileged pupils.

This will help improve the life chances for many young people.

And it will help reduce the attainment gap, as the Government has vowed to do.

The funding increase for universities and colleges is also excellent news.

And as I said, free education will continue.

If the Tories had their way, everyone would have to pay the huge fees seen down south.

But I believe that every person, no matter what their background is, should get a chance for a great education if they so choose it.

The SNP is delivering on its promises.

Presiding officer, poverty scars Scotland.

The problem is historic.

But we are tackling it.

Many of my constituents will benefit from the Scottish Government continuing to mitigate the impact of the hated Bedroom Tax.

Many in my constituency also benefit from the Scottish Welfare Fund.

A fund that will clear up the mess left by the UK Government’s punitive welfare programme.

The wheels are in motion for a new Scottish social security system.

With the powers we will have, we will run welfare with dignity and respect.

Presiding Officer, economic growth is the key to prosperity in Scotland.

With the few tools we have, we are still driving economic growth.

Four billion pounds invested into our infrastructure.

Most of us will have seen the amazing developments taking place.

For example, the motorway projects on the M8 and M74.

The stunning Queensferry Crossing.

And there are many more progressing across the country.

These are all drivers of economic growth and will improve the lives of millions.

This SNP government is building our economy.

In Clydebank, we boast one of the finest heart and lung surgery hospitals in the world.

The Golden Jubilee National Hospital is to receive a multi-million-pound expansion, and 700 new jobs.

Not transfers – brand new jobs into the local economy.

Health and Social Care Partnerships help some of our most vulnerable constituents.

Presiding Officer, this budget is about economic growth, investment in our public services and social justice.

Protecting our most vulnerable from the class war waged by the Tories.

This budget is about making Scotland’s economy prosper.

This budget is about investing in and protecting public services.

I call on all MSPs to show consensus and back this budget.

END