Wednesday 18 June 2025
Top Scottish Conservatives Craig Hoy and Russell Findlay.
The Scottish Conservatives have called on the “wasteful SNP Government to finally get serious on reining in Scotland’s bloated public sector” when ministers outline plans shake up key services tomorrow (Thursday).
Holyrood’s largest opposition party say First Minister John Swinney must cut the number of quangos to divert more cash to frontline services and eliminate waste so that bills can be brought down.
The Scottish Conservatives announced plans at their party conference for a Taxpayer Savings Act to ensure hard-pressed Scots receive value for money.
Shadow finance secretary Craig Hoy said he struggled to believe that the SNP were capable of getting tough on public sector waste when they had allowed it to explode in the first place.
He added: “It’s time for this wasteful SNP Government to finally get serious on reining in Scotland’s bloated public sector.
“Taxpayers have had enough of being fleeced by the Nationalists. They are forking out the highest taxes in the UK and getting worsening public services in return.
“Russell Findlay has repeatedly warned that this is unsustainable and the Scottish Conservatives have outlined concrete measures to cut waste and deliver value for money for hard-working Scots.
“John Swinney admitted this week that his government had identified £1billion of savings per year through eliminating waste.
“That’s a shameful indictment of SNP profligacy – and it’s hard to believe that the party responsible for this waste is one equipped to clean up its own mess.
“If the SNP want to show real ambition, they will adopt the Scottish Conservatives’ Taxpayer Savings Act. It’s time for John Swinney to show some common sense for a change, but I won’t hold my breath.”
- The Scottish Conservatives’ Taxpayer Savings Act would save nearly £650 million of public money. Through the establishment of cost-cutting agency SAVE, shutting down a quarter of quangos, tightening spending rules in the public sector and ending woke roles within the public bodies, we would save £642 million. (Better value for your money, 14 June 2025, link).