Scots Public Spending Faces 20% Cut

Spending on many vital public services in Scotland is poised to fall by about  20% over a decade, leading economists have warned. And many “non-protected” areas like housing, transport and social work could drop by 9-14% over the course of this parliament alone as the ongoing impact of austerity continues to bite, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute, Scotsman.com reported. Without change Scotland’s annual £30 billion ($40.3 billion) devolved budget will no longer be sustainable, FAI said. The findings are likely to increase calls for First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon to raise taxes to offset austerity.