Wishaw MP calls on SNP to improve frontline services after spending review
Pamela Nash says the buck now stops with the SNP Scottish Government – and called on Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson to explain to their constituents why they have yet to see any tangible improvements in their communities.
Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke MP Pamela Nash has welcomed the UK Labour Government's Spending Review as 'transformational for the country'.
Overall, the settlement for the Scottish Government is the largest in real terms since devolution began.
With £1.4 billion already confirmed by the Chancellor in last year's Autumn Budget, the UK Labour Government is now investing almost £1.7 billion in growth schemes across Scotland over the next decade.
Pamela says the buck now stops with the SNP Scottish Government – and called on Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson to explain to their constituents why they have yet to see any tangible improvements in their communities.
She said: 'While Labour has been building new homes in England, Scotland's housing crisis continues under the SNP. A year after declaring a housing emergency, 10,000 children are shamefully still living in temporary accommodation.
'Labour has been investing in regional transport across England, yet rail fares in Scotland continue to rise with three increases since March 2024, and 1,400 bus routes cut since the SNP came to power.
'£1.7bn has also been invested by the UK Labour Government in local growth projects to improve Scotland's town centres, but the SNP has undermined public services with successive cuts to core council budgets.
'And despite more money than ever before, on the SNP's watch, the NHS is still on its knees – with one in six Scots on an NHS waiting list and record numbers of people being forced to turn to private healthcare.
'The Autumn Budget delivered a record-breaking sum for Scotland, but SNP economic failure and waste means it is failing to improve frontline services.'
She continued: 'The people of Motherwell and Wishaw deserve better.
'The funding package for Scotland delivered by Labour is transformational, and the SNP has run out of excuses not to deliver.
'Clare Adamson needs to explain to our constituents why the effects of these record levels of funding for Scotland are not being felt in local GP surgeries, in our schools, and in our local streets, roads and parks.'
Ms Adamson hit back saying it was 'alarming to see such delight at the Chancellor short-changing Scotland to the tune of £1.1 billion compared to spending on UK Government departments'.
She continued: 'Ms Nash hasn't read any of the independent analysis of the Spending Review. She has bought into Labour's headlines hook, line, and sinker.
'The detail beyond the headlines is much more stark and we can expect dwindling budgets and belt tightening for years to come.
'It is because of the SNP that Scots have been shielded from the very worst of Westminster policy.
'Whether it's the baby box, the Scottish Child Payment, maintaining free tuition, bus passes, scrapping peak rail fares, mitigating the bedroom tax, or the best performing A&E services in the UK, people in this community and across Scotland know the SNP is on their side.
'The last Labour Government in Scotland built 6 council houses in total. The SNP has overseen completion of 136,000 affordable homes across Scotland - 6,000 in North Lanarkshire alone.
'And we will take action against the two child cap - a key driver of poverty - because Labour refuses to act.
'Labour has broken promise after promise after promise since getting into power: people are struggling with higher energy and grocery bills; stagnant growth; unsustainable UK debt; businesses and charities closing due to Labour's national insurance hike; and sick and disabled people are fearful for their future due to Labour's appalling welfare cuts.
'Brexit continues to wreak havoc on all of us and Pamela Nash gleefully supports all of this.
'I will always stand up for this community and demand better from this failing UK system. My team and I will get on with the job of helping people across Motherwell and Wishaw, from our office, electronically and in our regular community visits.'
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