The Liberal Democrats in Scotland today pressed the SNP and the Scottish government's finance secretary John Swinney to make tax cuts as part of the country's next budget.
The Liberal Democrats in Scotland today pressed the SNP and the Scottish government's finance secretary John Swinney to make tax cuts as part of the country's next budget.
The SNP minority administration needs to win the support of other parties to get its proposals through Holyrood.
Mr Swinney is having discussions with the Liberal Democrats ahead of a Holyrood debate on the budget next week.
The Lib Dems have been calling for a two pence cut in income tax to help families struggling during the economic crisis.
And party finance spokesman Jeremy Purvis said: "The SNP seem very complacent about the budget next week as they need other party support to secure its passage."
Mr Swinney has previously said the current circumstances mean Scotland is facing a ferocious economic storm.
But Mr Purvis claimed the SNP administration's budget proposals were similar to the previous year's.
"Their budget is less than 1% different than the draft published in 2007," he said.
"Across Scotland high streets are under huge pressure."
Mr Purvis added: "The big question for the SNP is are they prepared to put the principle of tax cuts on the table and ensure that the 2009 budget is a proper response to the economic situation Scotland faces?
"If yes, then Lib Dems will work with them and put £300 back into the average earner's pocket and work towards our proposals."
An aide to Mr Swinney said the government was "open to constructive discussions about the budget".
But he claimed the Liberal Democrat proposals would require cuts to be made in other areas.
He said: "We will listen to the Lib Dems' views, but so far they have only offered spending cuts of £800 million in the Scottish budget, which is the exact opposite of what is needed in a recession situation."
The aide stated: "The Scottish Government are using our powers to the maximum to ensure that Scotland weathers the financial downturn and emerges even stronger than before.
"Scotland has lower unemployment and higher employment levels than the UK as a whole, and the government remains open to constructive discussions about the budget as we detail further aspects of the Scottish Government's six-point economic recovery plan."
He went on highlight measures already put in place by the government, including cutting in business rates for small firms, freezing the council tax, accelerating £100 million of investment in affordable housing and putting in place "protection for homeowners far in advance of anything that exists south of the border".
He added: "We are bringing forward £260 million of capital spending over this year and next, supporting 4,000 Scottish jobs and complementing our already substantial capital investment programme."
Today's meeting took place ahead of the publication of the Budget Bill tomorrow, which will include details of money brought forward from future spending plans.
After the meeting Liberal Democrat chief whip Mike Rumbles said he was "extremely disappointed" ministers had refused to consider the principle of personal tax cuts as part of the Scottish budget.
Mr Rumbles hit out: "As it stands, the Budget is an inadequate response to the economic storm facing Scotland.
"The SNP has to remember that it is a minority government and needs support from other parties. "
He continued: "Our door will remain open to the SNP right up to the Budget vote. But we cannot proceed to the negotiating table until the Scottish Government signals that it will consider the principle of personal tax cuts. Hard pressed families and individuals need money back in their pockets right now.
"The ball is in their court."
