Baillie: 'SNP Welfare Claims Don't Add Up'

Alex Salmond must explain to Scots how his welfare promises would be paid for in an independent Scotland, according to Better Together.

Those campaigning for a 'no' vote say the Nationalists have made uncosted welfare promises worth at least £750 million for the first year of independence.

Better Together says that the nationalists are asking Scots to take risks that they simply don't have to take. Staying part of the UK means we can have more powers for Scotland on tax and welfare, without taking on the risks of independence.

Jackie Baillie MSP, Scottish Labour's Social Justice, Equalities and Welfare spokesperson, said:

"The welfare state is one of the UK's proudest achievements. It was founded on the basis of need, not nationality, so that those who fall on hard times get the support they need.

"To make that founding principle a reality we need to be able to fund our welfare state. Independence puts that at risk. The experts at the impartial Institute for Fiscal Studies are clear that leaving the UK would mean an extra £6 billion of cuts. 

"The SNP's welfare claims simply don't add up. Alex Salmond needs to tell people in Scotland how his welfare promises would be paid for when independence would bring about austerity plus.

"It is those in the greatest need who would suffer most from the cuts that independence would cause. The nationalists are trying to deceive some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland. This is a risk that we just don't need to take.

"We have a better vision for Scotland. It's one where there are more powers for Scotland guaranteed, including more powers over tax and welfare, without taking on all the risks of independence. We should say no thanks to that risk."

Yes Scotland says independence will enable the country to tackle social ills and take a huge step towards delivering a fairer Scotland.