Mike Pringle votes against "Inadequate" Scottish Government budget

12.00.00am GMT Wed 14th Jan 2009

Mike Pringle MSP has voted against the Scottish Government's budget, describing it as an inadequate response to the economic crisis engulfing Scotland.

Despite widespread calls last week for the Cabinet Finance Secretary to consider the principle of personal tax cuts which would put over £300 back into the pockets of hard pressed families and individuals, the Scottish Government's Budget choices have changed by less than one per cent to those in the 2007 Spending Review

Commenting, Mike Pringle MSP said:

"This response is woefully inadequate."

"People in Edinburgh South are being hit hard by the current economic situation, food and fuel bills are rising and some face the threat of redundancy.

"Today, every MSP in the Scottish Parliament had a chance to stick up for Scots struggling in the face of an economic storm. The Scottish Government's Budget is not the radical solution necessary to support Edinburgh South and Scotland at this difficult time, which is why I voted no. I remain open to working with the Government, but so far their approach has been worryingly complacent."