Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has slammed the SNP’s record on economic forecasting and has called on them to use their current powers to build on economic growth and reduce inequality.
In parliament Murdo Fraser MSP said:
On Austerity:
“Speech after speech, the First Minister and Mr Swinney called on George Osborne to change tack and end his obsession with austerity. Time and again they told us that Plan A had failed, and it was time to go for growth. Thank goodness George Osborne didn’t listen and instead stuck to his guns, and we are now seeing economic growth as a result.
“The critics of austerity have found their cheerleaders like Professor Blanchflower and President Hollande now silenced, and should now have the grace to accept that they, too, got it wrong.
On Inequality:
“The Global Wealth Databook 2013 produced last October by Credit Suisse, puts the UK at 14th out of 34 OECD countries in terms of equality of wealth, comfortably in the upper half. Crucially, we are above France, Germany and Switzerland, and indeed the supposed Scandinavian paradises of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. So those who want an independent country so we can be more like Scandinavia should be careful what they wish for.
“Research by both the Office of National Statistics and the Institute for Fiscal Studies state that in recent years inequality of income in the UK has in fact been reducing. The ONS report on “The Effects of Taxes and Benefits on Household Income”, published in July 2013, states that inequality of income in the UK is at its lowest level since 1986.
“Instead of focussing all its efforts on constitutional change the Scottish Government needs to start using the powers it has today to improve the Scottish economy rather than pretending that its hands are tied until such time as we are independent.”