"Budget must be right for Scotland" - McInnes

12.00.00am GMT Mon 2nd Feb 2009

Commenting on the ongoing Budget discussions, North East MSP Alison McInnes has emphasised that while the Scottish Budget does need to be passed, it is just as important that it is right for Scotland at this time. At last week's stage 3 debate the Liberal Democrats opposed the SNP budget on the basis that it did not have the necessary measures to boost the Scottish economy.

Mrs McInnes said: "The Lib Dems voted against the budget because it was a woefully inadequate response to the economic problems the country is facing. We had already warned the government that we could not vote for it as it stood.

"Contrary to the SNP scaremongering, voting no on the budget last week did not create any immediate threat to public services.

"We have been in constructive discussion since last Wednesday, and we are confident that we will be able to help resolve the matter, and find the best possible solution for Scotland."