Scottish Budget: John Swinney says 'difficult decisions' will be required to combat cost-of-living crisis

dailyrecord.co.uk:

John Swinney has said "difficult decisions" will be required to combat the cost-of-living crisis as he prepares to lay out the Scottish Government's Budget later today.The Deputy First Minister and interim Finance Secretary is expected to make a number of announcements around tax hikes and spending cuts in a bid to balance the books.Ahead of the Budget, he said: "Our Budget goals are mutually beneficial and represent a distinctive approach to the economic challenges we face."Swinney said previously he would focus on tackling child poverty, public services and moving towards net zero while adding the government "will use its limited powers to the maximum extent that is responsible".Opposition parties have called for the SNP/Green administration to increase public-sector pay and to pass on £1.2bn of consequentials from recent UK Government spending decisions.Swinney also said the cost-of-living crisis shows up the "fiscal constraints of devolution" and that tough decisions would have to be made."The Scottish budget will take further steps to address inequality and eradicate child poverty.

It will encourage a just transition to net zero, creating wealth and opportunity across the country," he added."It will be the catalyst for reforms necessary to ensure our first-class public services remain sustainable in the face of the challenges to come."In the lead up to the fiscal event Nicola Sturgeon and other SNP ministers have emphasised the need for Holyrood to have its own borrowing powers in order to combat the current cost-of-living crisis.Swinney added: "I would like to go even further but the cost-of-living crisis has also laid bare the fiscal constraints of devolution, as we cannot borrow to support day-to-day expenditure