Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has said that the UK Budget “falls short” on securing Scotland’s recovery and has called on the Scottish Government to seize the opportunity to put forward a long-term plan.

This follows the UK budget which was laid out by Rishi Sunak on Wednesday in the House of Commons.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“This was not a budget for rebuilding communities like Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven or Helensburgh.

“The UK has recorded the worst economic crisis of any major economy with millions of people in Scotland and across the country worried about their jobs and livelihoods. It will be a relief to many workers that the Job Retention Scheme has been extended, although this is not something that can keep being extended indefinitely. The Scottish and UK governments must work together to make a robust, long term plan for saving jobs.

“What people wanted to hear in this budget was a relentless focus on jobs, a plan to tackle the deep-rooted inequality in society, and a long-term plan for social care. It fell short.

“This is why the priority for both governments must be Covid recovery and uniting our country so that we can rebuild together.”