Reports indicate that the Scottish government has confirmed certain budget balancing cuts that are raising questions about whether this is indeed the return of austerity in Scotland. Last year, the Scottish government received a spending boost from the UK Treasury following a deal with the Scottish Greens. However, calls have been made for an increase in public and fiscal spending across Scotland amid the recovery from COVID-19.
The Scottish Greens have threatened to withdraw their support for the Scottish National Party if the governing party continues with cuts and insufficient spending. The Scottish Greens with their six seats hold an important balance of power in the country’s parliament, with the ability to impact key legislation and policymaking drastically. Patrick Harvie, Scotland’s government minister for zero carbon buildings, active travel, and tenants’ rights, stated that the Greens risked being nothing more than “window dressing” for the governing party if they do not speak up against proposed cuts.
The return of austerity in Scotland has some worried that public services will experience further cuts, including those in health care and education. Advocates for increased spending warn that austerity measures could push those who were already severely impacted by the pandemic such as the aged and low-income earners into greater poverty, severely hampering the country’s already fragile recovery.
Scottish ministers have continually stated that cuts are necessary in order to ensure a balanced budget and avoid fiscally irresponsible spending, which could result in future inflation. Austerity in Scotland could have significant ramifications for the country’s future prosperity, with critics arguing that austerity measures failed to spur economic recoveries in other countries, such as the UK and Greece
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