NO MORE EXCUSES

Swinney challenged to use entire budget boost on health | Nats' failures 'always made out to be someone else's fault'

- PAUL HUTCHEON

KEIR Starmer has demanded the SNP Government spend every penny of a billion-pound NHS budget boost to fix our broken health service.

The Prime Minister said his tax-raising Budget had ended austerity and told John Swinney his government had "no more excuses" over long-standing problems such as waiting lists.

Starmer spoke on a trip to Glasgow, where he outlined his Labour vision for Scotland - with improved public services a number one priority.

He said: "My message is very clear to the SNP. You've got the power.

You've got the money. No more hiding places. No more excuses. This money has to get to the front line."

Labour's first PM in 14 years spoke exclusively to the Record after his historic General Election win and last week's bigspending budget.

His period in office has been dominated by claims the Tories left behind a £22billion black hole and a row over slashing the Winter Fuel Payment.

But the biggest moment was when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £40billion of tax hikes in the Budget last week, raising £3.4billion more for Holyrood next year.

Labour £20billion-plus boost for the NHS across the UK translates to more than a billion extra for Scotland under so-called "consequential" funding arrangements sources say a The Scottish Government has the power to spend this money on whatever it wants.

Starmer said: "There is no return to austerity under this Budget.