AN EMERGENCY freeze on public spending has been ordered as the Scottish Government faces a series of "tough decisions" in order to balance its books.
The move comes after new figures showed the difference between public spending and government income in Scotland soared by £3.6billion to £22.7billion.
As part of the crackdown on spending a replacement benefit for the Winter Fuel Payment will no longer be paid to all older Scots following a similar move by the UK Government last month.
The payment will instead be restricted to "older people who receive relevant eligible benefits", SNP ministers announced yesterday.
Charity Age Scotland described the cut as "infuriating".
It warned the decision would mean at least a quarter of a million pensioners in Scotland on the lowest incomes or in fuel poverty would no longer receive the financial support.
The expansion of free school meals to children in primary six and seven is among the policies that could be delayed indefinitely as a result.
The freezing of peak time fares on ScotRail services is also expected to be reviewed and could end.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison has already written to her Cabinet colleagues to warn that public cash will be allowed to be spent only if it was essential to meet legal requirements or to prevent an economic crash.
It comes as the Scottish Government weighs up a series of further cutbacks to be announced in a statement to MSPs next month.
"This is going to be a really, really tough year," Robison told journalists during a briefing at Edinburgh's Napier University.
この記事は Daily Record の August 15, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Daily Record の August 15, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
WAIT TILL I GET YOU HOME
Propper says return to” rox will spark Gers into life after stuttering start
BIB'S YOUR UNCLE
Never stars or stadia, John will get a bigger kick out of Champs League gear
Nappy to be here
Caolan: Saints is one big happy family
I'll deliver KO blow to AJ v Fury dream
Dubois is ready to be a party pooper
PETTER PANNED
Skip Suz taking flak but has no regrets
WE'LL NEVER STOP SEARCH FOR KHASHA
Missing mum family’s memorial fundraiser
FAR RIGHT' ROW OVER STARMER ITALIAN TRIP
Premier bats away critics of policy
POOL STEAM AHEAD
Autumn sunshine will make us warmer than much of EU
GOING FOR GOLD
Commonwealth Games on verge of Glasgow return
'Would-be assassin' was former Trump voter rejected as a fighter by Ukraine
THE suspect in the apparent second assassination attempt on Donald Trump is a former supporter of the ex-President.