Nicola Sturgeon accused of choosing cuts by Labour

Nicola Sturgeon 'chooses cuts' rather than opting to use Holyrood's powers to protect squeezed services, Labour said as the party pressed the First Minister to state whether she would reverse tax changes made by chancellor George Osborne in his budget.

Picture: TSPL

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale called for a clear answer from Ms Sturgeon on whether she would back her party’s plan to reverse Mr Osborne’s tax cut for the top 15% of earners.

Speaking at First Minister’s questions, Ms Sturgeon said the SNP will set out its income tax proposals next week and stated that Mr Osborne “was wrong” on the issue.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Clearly if I think it is the wrong choice, it is not a choice I am going to make myself.”

However, Ms Dugdale said that people would want to know why the First Minister can’t answer with a simple “yes”.

Ms Dugdale says Ms Sturgeon says she is against the cuts but “chooses cuts” and strips £500m out of schools and vital public services.

The First Minister, hitting back, said that Ms Dugdale’s line of questioning reminds her of the “Labour party in Scotland generally, going absolutely nowhere”.

Ms Sturgeon, said for the fourth time, that she thought Mr Osborne’s decision to cut tax was the wrong choice and she will not take that choice.