Labour has been challenged today to make clear that they will join the SNP in only backing a Fiscal Framework deal that is fair to Scotland.
Responding to a question from Kenneth Gibson MSP at First Minister's Questions, the First Minister said that she was “aghast” that Labour appeared to be suggesting that the Scottish Government should sign up to a Fiscal Framework deal – the financial package that is needed before the new powers promised to Holyrood can be delivered through the Scotland Bill – with the Tory Treasury that would be bad for Scotland.
Nicola Sturgeon said that the Scottish Government was negotiating in “good faith” but that they “won’t sign up to a deal that systematically cuts Scotland’s budget regardless of anything this government or future Scottish governments were to do.”
Commenting, Mr Gibson said:
“The SNP government is committed to securing the powers Scotland was promised, underpinned by a financial deal that is fair to both Scotland and the rest of the UK.
“It is plain common sense, however, that no government would sign up to any deal that would systematically cut their budget, or that any member of our national parliament would back such an arrangement.
“Kezia Dugdale needs to make clear that when it comes to the Fiscal Framework, Labour are on the side of the people of Scotland and not the Tory Treasury.”
