John Swinney has accused the Tories and Labour of ignoring warnings about the impact their economic plan will have on spending cuts.

The SNP leader said they are debating the economy in a “parallel universe with billions of pounds wiped from public services.

Swinney said experts have pointed out both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer’s plans will mean a further decade of cuts to services like health and education.

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The SNP highlighted the Institute of Fiscal Studies said tax and spending plans will mean cuts of £18bn by 2028.

It said the Resolution Foundation warned a “fiscal black hole” of £33bn will confront the next UK Government under both parties fiscal rules.

Swinney said: “In recent weeks, we have seen a number of very stark economic warnings from experts like the Institute for Fiscal Studies - which outlline the fact that the Tories and Labour are both signed up to sharp spending cuts which will hit our NHS, our schools, and our housing targets.

“Every credible voice is clear that significant spending cuts are coming under the economic plans of both Westminster parties - and the chorus of voices warning about this is getting louder each day. 

"It is deeply concerning that Labour and the Tories are debating our econimic future in a parallel universe - by refusing to accept the reality of their decisions. It is well past time for them to come back to the real world and come clean to the electorate about the impact these cuts will have on our communities.”

The SNP said the Institute for Government’s Chief Economist who has warned “the tax pledges seriously undermine the credibility of their public service aspirations: the parties are presumably hoping the electorate will not notice.”

 

Swinney added: “Whether it is Keir Starmer or Rishi Sunak in Downing Street, it’s now clear the agenda for the coming years is the same when it comes to public finances. However, these tax and spending decisions are a choice - nothing here is inevitable.  

“People and public services have already suffered over a decade of Westminster failures, such as austerity and Brexit, and people deserve a real alternative.”