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FOREWORD BY THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR FINANCE AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
This document sets out the Scottish Government's spending plans for 2009-10. In doing so, it provides more detail and updates the plans that we published at the conclusion of the spending review in 2007. We were clear then that our spending plans were about delivering in a tight financial climate, about taking the right decisions to ensure maximum resources flow to boosting the economy and investing in our public services. That continues to be our focus now.
In our first year in office we have done much to deliver our purpose to focus government and public services on creating a more successful country with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through increasing and sustainable economic growth. Working with Local Government we have frozen the unfair council tax. We have reduced or removed business rates for 150,000 small business premises. At a time of rising food and fuel costs we have taken action to put money back into people's pockets and support the Scottish economy.
But Scotland is not immune from the effects of a global economic slowdown. While the Scottish economy continues to show encouraging signs of resilience we are not complacent. This Government will not sit on its hands and wait for circumstances to improve. That is why we have again reviewed our spending plans and why the budget we are bringing forward for 2009-10 will promote growth, support business confidence and help Scotland meet the economic challenges we face.
Scotland's economy could be more successful. This government will do all it can with the levers available to us to achieve ambitious goals for growth. This budget will accelerate capital spending that supports growth. It furthers our efforts to reduce costs to businesses and householders and it promotes action to make our economy more competitive. It recognises the resilience that is there and is responsive where there is need for further action.
We will as ever continue to consult widely on our plans. Our aim is to ensure that the budget process is as open and transparent as possible, and we welcome participation from all sectors of society. As in recent years the consultation period will end, following consideration by portfolio committees, with a full parliamentary debate on our plans in December. We will then seek formal parliamentary approval for our spending plans for 2009-10 in the Budget Bill to be introduced in January 2009.
We believe that our spending plans will allow us to deliver greater national success for the people of Scotland.
John Swinney MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth.
September 2008
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