Conservatives call for Government to publish spending details

19/01/2010
Scottish Conservatives are calling for the SNP Government to publish online details of all spending over £25,000.

Derek Brownlee MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth, says:

“Labour’s debt crisis is affecting us all. The interest on debt payments alone by 2012 will be £60 billion, double the entire annual Scottish budget. The Conservatives have consistently asked Alex Salmond to make savings and he has rejected every single idea we have put forward.

“The fact is that Scottish Budget must be based on the reality of imminent reductions in spending forecast by independent commentators, and highlighted by the Auditor General. Reductions in spending must be planned in the way which impacts service delivery as little as possible, and we expect the NHS to be protected.

“Further efforts must be made to grow the private sector to create the jobs of the future. This means changing the culture within Government to focus on delivering more for less, prioritising effectively and supporting economic growth. We have already called for the Scottish Parliament to set an example in this regard and cut its running costs.

“The Government must also spend less and it must spend taxpayers’ money more wisely. It’s time for the Government to open its books. The Conservatives are demanding the SNP Government now commits to publishing online details of all spending over £25,000. This would be a transparency revolution in public spending.

“When spending decisions are open to full public scrutiny, every Government Minister will know that they have to justify their decision. A Government that is more transparent is more prudent and we have to start that process right now.”