SNP spends money on flags as health boards consider cutting back on beds to save money

10.53.38am GMT Mon 8th Feb 2010

Liberal Democrats have revealed that the SNP Government has spent £265,007.83 on Saltire flags since taking office in 2007.

The information, obtained using Freedom of Information laws showed that in their first year of office, the SNP spent £40,000 more than the previous administration.

Meanwhile, NHS Boards are considering drastic measures like cutting the number of nurses, or hospital beds to save money as they try to cope with a funding squeeze.

Commenting, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott said:

“Despite the funding squeeze facing frontline services, it seems like there’s always money available for the SNP’s pet projects.

“The First Minister is quick to complain about the cuts coming to Scotland from the UK Labour Government. NHS Boards and schools are feeling the pinch. Some are considering getting rid of nurses and the number of teachers has plummeted, but Ministers still managed to find an extra £265,007 to spend on flags in the last two years.

“In their first year in Government, the nationalists spent £40,000 more on flags than the previous administration. They’ve already wasted up to £9 million of taxpayers’ money on their independence campaign.

“The SNP need to get a reality check, a policy of getting more life out of their Saltires would be a good start.”