Scottish Government: Social Security Benefits Debate
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Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court
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Scottish Government: Social Security Benefits
Lord Macpherson of Earl's Court Excerpts(1 month, 2 weeks ago)
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Lord Livermore (Lab)
I am grateful to the noble Lord for his question but I do not agree with the assumption underlying it. Of course we must spend more on defence, but we must also continue to support those who need that support the most. As I said in answer to the first Question, spending on benefits is a choice for the Scottish Government and must come from within their own budget.
Lord Macpherson of Earl’s Court (CB)
My Lords, does the noble Lord the Financial Secretary agree that fiscal responsibility should lie at the heart of the devolutionary settlement? Does he agree that maintaining fiscal credibility would be a particular challenge in the event of Scotland becoming independent? Is he aware that the Irish Free State had to cut the state pension by 10% in 1924 to maintain parity with sterling? Might he draw that to the attention of those who advocate Scottish independence?