The Scottish Government’s finance secretary has branded the Autumn Statement “deeply disappointing”.
Derek Mackay said Britain’s post-Brexit economic outlook had been “laid bare” by Chancellor Philip Hammond’s speech, which revealed “lower growth, lower tax revenues, higher borrowing, higher debt and higher inflation”.
The SNP minister also claimed the statement was “a massive missed opportunity to end austerity”.
Meanwhile, Ruth Davidson said the UK Government had delivered an “£800million Scottish stimulus”, suggesting there are now “no excuses” for the Scottish Government “not to act”.
But Mr Mackay said: “The truth about Brexit – and the UK’s financial and economic future – was laid bare by the Chancellor. The real cost of Brexit has now been revealed – and it is a cost which will be paid through lower growth, lower tax revenues, higher borrowing, higher debt and higher inflation.
“That is the future the Autumn Statement revealed the UK faces as a result of leaving the European Union.
“Above all, this was a massive missed opportunity to end austerity. The Chancellor has failed to ease the punitive cuts that are hitting so many Scottish families.
“Instead he has continued the damaging austerity that is slashing the budget for public services, hammering family finances and failing to revive the economy.”
But Scottish Conservative leader Ms Davidson urged the finance secretary to be more upbeat – and challenged him to outline how he will spend around £800million in expected
Barnett-consequentials.
She said: “We have set out our priorities. We want a housebuilding revolution, more spending for warm homes to cut fuel poverty, and to accelerate spending on digital infrastructure so rural areas as well as urban hot spots are linked up.
“The SNP can also use this money to boost our creaking rail and road networks. There are no excuses not to act.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale slammed the Autumn Statement as “more of the same old Tory mantra – cut, cut and cut again”.
She added: “The chancellor could have announced an end to the austerity which is damaging our public services and holding back working families.
“He could also have announced major new investment in the North Sea oil and gas industry to protect jobs and the local economy.
“Yet Philip Hammond did none of these things. The same cuts to public spending remain in place, which will put at risk the chances of people who just want to get on in life.”