Beattie calls for extra borrowing powers

EXTRA borrowing powers for Holyrood will allow better management of the country's finances, new Midlothian North & Musselburgh SNP MSP Colin Beattie said in his maiden speech.

He told MSPs: "The question of borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament is complex, but it should be simple, because Scotland should have the full borrowing powers of a normal nation and should not be holding out its begging bowl to Westminster. Scottish local councils and even English parish councils have more borrowing powers than the Scottish Government has."

He said it was "absolutely realistic" to press for a higher borrowing limit than the proposed 2.2 billion, since Northern Ireland's limit is 3bn.

"On that basis, it could be argued Scotland should have at least three times the Northern Ireland borrowing limit, which would result in 9bn."