A Personal Budget Message from Mike Pringle MSP

2.00.00pm GMT Sun 1st Feb 2009

You may have heard that I voted against the Scottish Government's Budget last Wednesday evening.

I had warned that the budget was an inadequate response to the recession facing Scotland and without radical changes I would vote it down.

These are unprecedented times. Unemployment is at its highest level for 12 years; job losses are escalating; Government borrowing is at record levels; the pound is at a 25-year low against the dollar and approaching parity with the Euro; and today's shocking Scottish GDP figures should ring alarm bells very loudly.

However the budget put to the Scottish Parliament for consideration was only one per cent different from their original Budget of 2007. A variation of one per cent forms the weakest response of any Western European Government, national or devolved, to the economic difficulties we face in 2009.

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures and unfortunately the Scottish Government's budget failed to deliver.

I remain open to discussions on taking forward a Budget for Scotland that meets the needs of these turbulent economic times. It is important for a Scottish Budget to be passed - but it is important that the Budget is the right one for our times. It is the duty of Ministers to come back to Parliament with a Budget that can make a real difference to Scotland.

Let's be clear. There is no immediate threat to public services. The current year's Budget continues to operate and can sustain public services indefinitely.

But, evidently, it is a matter that is better sorted sooner than later.

The Scottish Government must now bring forward a Budget that is a real response to the economic storm. We are ready to talk about how we can build a better budget that helps families, individuals and businesses.

I will keep you up to date over the coming days.