Jim Murphy has confirmed that a Labour Government will deliver cuts to key policies as part of their pursuit of austerity.
Asked to confirm that despite his claims to the contrary in recent Leaders’ debates, Labour was planning cuts Jim Murphy said “that’s right, further cuts than what we’ve already identified.”
Despite being asked repeatedly last night, Jim Murphy was also unable to reveal whether Labour plans to invest more in the NHS than the Tories are proposing.
In contrast, the SNP has set out plans for an increase in NHS spending across the UK of £24 billion by 2020/21, £9.5 billion above the rate of inflation. Such an increase will deliver a total boost to the NHS Scotland budget of £2 billion by 2020/21.
Commenting, SNP Depute Leader Stewart Hosie said:
“It renders the posturing he has tried to engage in on this issue utterly hollow and confirms that it is only the SNP who will deliver a progressive alternative to austerity.
“The fact that Jim Murphy was also left floundering when it came to trying to explain why even the Tories are now proposing more money for the NHS than Labour speaks volumes.
“Labour is so fixated on an austerity agenda that they are apparently happy to see the NHS lose out on the funding it needs.
“In contrast, the SNP has set out plans to ensure that the health service in Scotland and the rest of the UK gets the funding it needs to carry out its vital work.
“A strong team of SNP MPs will work with progressive voices from across the UK to pursue an alternative to austerity and stand up to support and protect the Health Service at every turn.”
