2 days Ago
Secondly, I want to comment on the UK Spring Statement which was announced on Wednesday. This isn’t a budget in the sense of setting firm tax and spending plans but can provide for budgetary changes based on the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts. The OBR has halved the economic growth forecast for 2025, now forecasting the UK economy will grow by 1% this year.
We also know the UK Government is doubling down on austerity – with the UK Government's own analysis of its cuts to disability benefits concludes that they will drive 250,000 people into poverty. This includes 50,000 children. Finally, I want to reflect on the sad passing of friend and colleague, Christina McKelvie MSP.
Christina was elected in 2007 at the same time as myself, and over those years I’ve known her to be a true force of nature, but someone who always maintained a warmth and charm that made her so admirable. Christina was a wonderful woman who would fight the corner of anyone who needed help. Always with a steely determination to improve the lives of others and with a great sense of humour, Christina was never dull to be around and appreciated the good in everyone.
She was a dedicated public servant and will be missed greatly by those who were close to her. Scottish politics is poorer without her..
