Independent Budget Review

The Independent Budget Review was published on 29^th July 2010 and sets out a range of measures for the Scottish Government to consider to meet the budget challenges facing Scotland. As well as the UK Government Comprehensive Spending Review this October, this review will help to inform the next Scottish budget in November 2010. The Scottish Government would like to hear your opinion on the Review and what it says about spending cuts and public service delivery in Scotland.

The report recommendations include:

• Cuts to free or subsidised public services such as concessionary travel and free personal care for the elderly
• End the freeze on council tax rates
• End government plans for free prescriptions
• A public sector recruitment freeze as well as pay freezes and the loss of up to 50,000 public sector jobs by 2015
• Considering the introduction of tuition fees at universities and colleges or alternatives including graduate contributions
• The sale of Scottish Water to become a not for profit private company

A reduction in the number of public bodies and revision of the role of the Scottish Futures Trust.

Th full document is available online at the Scottish Government website.

You can also give feedback to the publication here.

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