Cole-Hamilton declares Lib Dems will vote against Scottish budget at stage one

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today warned the Scottish Government that his party will vote against the budget on Thursday afternoon over the government’s programme of cuts to key areas such as energy efficiency, local government and mental health.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“Our party has always approached budget negotiations in good faith. In the past, we have backed budgets in exchange for progress on issues we care about, like support for mental health and inter-island ferry services.

“We are also realistic that we will not get 100% of everything we want.

“However, on this occasion, we cannot vote for a budget that impoverishes councils and deals a hammer blow to everyone waiting for healthcare. Astonishingly, this is a budget that delivers a housing cut in the midst of a housing crisis and will starve us of the skills and green jobs needed to kickstart growth.

“People need a liberal budget that invests in local services, mental health and growing the economy. Instead they are getting cuts, cuts and more cuts.”