Mark McDonald, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, addresses the Scottish Parliament on 23 February. Watch the video below and click "read more" to view the text of the speech.
- Mark McDonald (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP): I thank the First Minister for her statement. Although it is encouraging to see progress being made, there is obviously concern that the Treasury seems to view the fiscal framework as a means by which to cut Scotland’s budget in the longer term. Does the First Minister believe that the Treasury’s approach thus far matches the so-called respect agenda that the Prime Minister has spoken of so often?
- The First Minister: As I said in my statement, a promise was made freely and unconditionally. It did not have a £2 billion or £3 billion or however many billions of pounds price tag attached to it. In return for the devolution of the powers, the approach that has been taken thus far would see the Scottish budget being cut by a significant amount over a period of time. I do not think that that either shows respect or delivers on the promise that was made. We have seen some movement so that the principle of no detriment is being agreed for a transitional period, but we have to make sure that any review after that transitional period is also based on the important principle of no detriment.
