An economics expert has cast doubt on the Scottish Government’s claim that it is properly investing in healthcare north of the Border.
Public finance economist, John McLaren, who has contributed background work for the SNP’s recent Growth Commission report, analysed the Scottish Government’s latest NHS spending plans.
These plans were based on Scotland receiving an extra £2bn a year as a result of UK Government proposals to increase health spending in England.
However, this new analysis finds that the Scottish Government’s plans for the next 5 years of 3.5% annual growth in spending was significantly less than the comparable figure for England, which would benefit from a rise of 6.7%.
The document says that “such a discrepancy seems untenable” before concluding that the funding shortfall in Scotland equates to up to £415 million each and every year.
The Scottish Government have repeatedly bragged about spending increases in Scotland and pledged that any additional funding coming to them as a result of spending rises in England would be passed on to health boards north of the Border.
The news comes after it was revealed that NHS Borders is struggling with staff recruitment and operation cancellations as it ran up debts of £10m.
Local politicians have said this analysis suggests that the SNP are significantly behind the UK Government in terms of health investment and have demanded funding is brought up to the English level.
Rachael Hamilton MSP also said: “This has really shown up the SNPs mismanagement of our treasured NHS.
“Staff at NHS Borders work so hard and are being given a short, sharp shrift by the SNP.
“NHS Borders is not receiving adequate support from Scottish Government. Constituents contact me regularly about how long they are having to wait for appointments, operations and other procedures.
“We are used to seeing the SNP Scottish Government gushing about how much better they are than in England. This embarrassing analysis shows that to be nothing more than a charade.