FULL fiscal autonomy will cause major cuts to Scotland's NHS budget, the Liberal Democrats have warned.
LibDems Scottish secretary Alistair Carmichael warned yesterday that the SNP's demands for financial control in Scotland would negatively impact the NHS.
Mr Carmichael made the remarks following Nicola Sturgeon's comments that her party would push for the abolition of the Barnett Formula, replacing it with full fiscal autonomy.
He said: "The Scottish Government's own numbers show that the falling oil price and the demographic challenges faced by Scotland mean that full fiscal autonomy would shrink the size of Scotland's budget...
"Despite this, Nicola Sturgeon says that full fiscal autonomy would be a demand of SNP MPs after the election.
"Scottish Liberal Democrats have been clear that we will keep the Barnett Formula, and guarantee £800 million extra NHS spending in Scotland.
"We need that money to keep A&E waiting times down, ease pressure on essential services, and tackle the mental health crisis our country faces.
"That would not be affordable under the SNP's plans."
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