JOHN Swinney should consider using devolved tax powers to balance the books when he presents the Scottish Budget this week, an economic research institute has suggested.
Strathclyde University’s Fraser of Allander Institute has released a pre-Budget report which says while the Government is facing an “unprecedently tricky time” when it comes to public finances, there are ways ministers can limit the pain.
The institute’s report has also said the UK Government’s autumn statement, which will see Scotland receive an extra £1.5 billion over the next two years, will more or less offset the inflationary impacts to the Scottish economy.
