Lib Dem election success would mean extra £1.5bn for Scotland, says leader
Scottish leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said commitments in the party’s UK manifesto would net the additional cash for public spending north of the border.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has said his party could make a “big positive” investment in Scotland if it wins the General Election.
He spoke out as the UK Liberal Democrats published their manifesto for next month’s ballot, with the party promising a £9.4 billion package for the NHS and social care, to be funded by by increasing taxes for banks and closing loopholes used by the super-rich.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said this money would result in an extra £1.5 billion in public spending for Scotland – saying it was cash the Lib Dems want to see used to “save the NHS, fix the care crisis and lift Scottish education back up the international rankings”.
The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader hit out at how the Tories had “badly mismanaged the economy and made the cost-of-living crisis worse for everyone”.
But he added: “The SNP Government has shown that it cannot be trusted to spend your money wisely and that it is totally unable to get the basics right for our public services.
“It’s time for a change and in so many parts of the country we have shown that it is the Liberal Democrats who can beat the SNP and Conservatives.”
Mr Cole-Hamilton, whose party is still to publish its Scottish manifesto, added: “The Liberal Democrat manifesto published today will see £1.5 billion more for day-to-day spending coming to the Scottish Budget.
“It’s a big positive investment that we would use to save the NHS, fix the care crisis and lift Scottish education back up the international rankings.
“We will pay for it fairly too, because it would be wrong to ask families to pay more to clear up the Conservatives’ mess.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.