Local SNP MSP Maree Todd has condemned the actions of Liam McArthur LibDem MSP for voting against investment in communities in Orkney which included the reduction of ferry fares.

The Scottish Budget stage 3 was passed in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 23rd February 2017. The SNP and the Greens voting together ensured the budget was passed with Labour, Tories and LibDems voting against. For: 68, Against: 57, Abstentions: 0

The Scottish Budget, in addition to national initiatives,  has allocated funding specifically to Orkney :

• £46.7m for NHS Orkney
• Action to reduce fares on ferry services
• Bespoke funding structure for Orkney hospital

Maree Todd MSP said:

“ 143 businesses in Orkney and Shetland will benefit from the new rates relief set out in this budget.”

“Personally, I took great pleasure in voting for the commitment to a reduction in ferry fares for routes in the Northern Isles. Having worked very hard throughout this budget process in discussions with the Scottish Government to achieve that, I was delighted to see that I have been able to make progress on this with the inclusion of a commitment to a fares reduction in the final budget.”

“That made it all the more disappointing that Liam McArthur and Tavish Scott voted against this budget given how much people and communities in Orkney and Shetland stood to gain from it.”

And she went on to say:

“Despite continuing Tory austerity, the Scottish Government’s budget will deliver above inflation investment of over £90 million in the local NHS and over £2 million extra for local schools.”

Local Green MSP John Finnie set out his view on the Scottish Budget which can be viewed here John Finnie MSP: Local Democracy