Scot Lib Dems baffled that Greens will back cuts to housing, green jobs and drug support

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today said that voters will find it baffling that the Green party is set to back a budget which delivers major cuts to housing, green jobs and drug support.

Speaking ahead of the stage one vote on the Scottish budget in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“This budget drives a coach and horses through and pretence the Green party cares about the housing emergency.

“Cutting funding for housing means less money in people’s pockets and more people relying on emergency council services.

“Cutting funding for green jobs will starve us of the skills needed to kickstart growth and leave Scotland at the back of the race for the jobs and industries of the future.

“Cutting drugs funding will mean more people end up requiring emergency health care.

“I am baffled that the Green party are enthusiastically signed up to vote for these cuts.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats cannot vote for a budget that impoverishes councils and takes an axe to public services

“People need a liberal budget that invests in local services, mental health and growing the economy. We will stand up for a growing and thriving economy. An economy which creates prosperity and lifts people out of poverty. An economy which generates the tax revenue we need to invest in lifting up Scottish education, rescuing the NHS and building more warm homes.”