Day warns Bo’ness meeting: Budget risks deep cuts to Scottish services

Martyn Day met with Bo’ness SNP members to discuss the upcoming UK Budget and what it could mean for Scotland’s finances.

Speaking ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ statement on 26 November, Day voiced concern about manifesto-breaking tax rises at Westminster and their impact on Scotland’s Block Grant Adjustment. He warned that if income tax rises in England and Wales, Scotland’s funding would be cut, putting already stretched public services at further risk.

“Britain is broken beyond repair,” Day told members. “We need full fiscal responsibility where we are in control of our own spending and taxation, and that will only come with independence.”

He criticised what he described as Labour’s austerity plans, highlighting scheduled welfare cuts in England from 2026–27 that would also reduce Scotland’s block grant. He called for urgent support for families struggling with the cost of living and noted recent polls suggesting Reform UK has overtaken Labour as the main opposition to the SNP.

Day said Labour and Keir Starmer were “scrambling to beat Nigel Farage to second place”, while under John Swinney’s leadership the SNP remained focused on governing Scotland. Members also noted the Budget falls during Scam Awareness Week, a timing they felt was “appropriate” given fears over the financial hit to Scotland.

Day concluded that only full fiscal independence would allow Scotland to protect its public services from Westminster-imposed cuts and shape its own economic future.