Responding to the details of the Spending Review announced by the UK Chancellor at Westminster this afternoon, Scottish Labour deputy leader and finance spokesperson Jackie Baillie said:

“The substantial funds made available to the Scottish government through today’s Spending Review are most welcome, but it is all too clear that the Tories have failed to kickstart our economy.

“It is vital that the SNP government use the funds available to strengthen our NHS and protect businesses and jobs. If we are to recover from this pandemic, we must have a laser-focus on strengthening our NHS and delivering jobs for people all across Scotland.

“There is no point in the SNP hiding funds away for a rainy day when we are in the teeth of an economic deluge.

“The decision to play public sector workers against private and cancel planned pay rises for public sector workers is simply wrong. This is not how you reward the key public sector workers who have kept Scotland safe throughout this pandemic.”