JOHN Swinney warned there is a “real threat” that UK Government decisions will jeopardise the Scottish Budget during clashes with the Scottish Tory leader.
The first full day back at Holyrood brought the jibes between the SNP and Tories as Nicola Sturgeon set out her government’s plans for the coming year.
The First Minister was accused of “chuntering away” by Douglas Ross while he spoke, while she retorted saying she was wondering when he was going to say “anything of substance”.
Responding to the Programme for Government plans, Ross claimed it falls “woefully short” of the challenges Scotland was facing.
He described the plans for an independence referendum legislation as “another unwanted bill” from the SNP and Greens and questioned why John Swinney had not announced the outcome of a rapid spending review.
But the Deputy First Minister responded: “The Government is wrestling, as the First Minister has set out, with a budget settlement that was agreed when inflation was 2%.
“Inflation is now 10%, hence the emergency statement I will give to parliament tomorrow, and the extensive opportunity will be available for members to question me on its content tomorrow.
“I think any rational individual would understand it is sensible for us to wait to see what decisions a new United Kingdom government might take to jeopardise our budget, because that is a very real threat that we face before we take the measures to support individuals within our responsibilities.”
Ross continued to speak before halting to accuse Sturgeon of “chuntering away”.
There was a round of applause from the SNP as she responded: “With apologies Presiding Officer, I was just commenting from a sedentary position - so I apologise to you - wondering when Douglas Ross was going to say anything remotely of substance.”
It prompted an intervention from the Presiding Officer, who said: “Members this is our first day back following recess and I would be very grateful if all members could remind themselves of the code of conduct that requires members treat each one another with courtesy and respect at all times.”
Ross added one last jibe saying: “I will just respectfully say I thought the same for 31 minutes as the First Minister set out her Programme for Government.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar welcomed the Scottish Government’s “change of heart” on rent freezes.
A proposal by Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba which aimed to freeze rent for around two years until controls were introduced was rejected by SNP, Tory and Green MSPs in June following a parliamentary vote.
Sarwar said: “I want to welcome the change of heart from the SNP and the Greens when it comes to rent freezes.
“This is a practical measure that will support many people who need help now."
