Scottish Tories Plan £650m Public Spending Cuts To Fund Tax Reductions

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has announced plans to save taxpayers £650 million through a Taxpayer Savings Act aimed at cutting wasteful public spending and bureaucracy in Scotland's public sector. The initiative includes reducing the number of quangos by a quarter, tightening public spending rules, and establishing a Scottish Agency of Value and Efficiency (SAVE) run by business leaders to identify savings and slash red tape, particularly in the NHS. Findlay criticized the SNP-led government under First Minister John Swinney for financial mismanagement and a culture of cronyism, pledging strict new rules on public appointments and reductions in ministers and advisors. The funds saved from these efficiency measures would be used to lower taxes, which are currently higher in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK. He drew inspiration from President Donald Trump's approach to government efficiency, advocating for pragmatic business expertise to streamline the bloated Holyrood government. The proposals aim to restore public trust by improving accountability and transparency in organizations receiving public funds.