The
Prime Minister said health is already devolved to Holyrood
Mr
Salmond said NHS cuts in England would be replicated in Scotland
Scottish Government's spending on private contractors has risen by 25%
David Cameron has accused the First Minister of ‘desperate’ tactics over his claim that separation will protect the NHS from privatisation.
The Prime Minister stressed health is devolved to Holyrood
and controversial changes at Westminster cannot be imposed on Scots.
Alex Salmond, who went green bowling in Arbroath with
Scotland's Commonwealth medallists today, has argued that NHS budget cuts south
of the border would be replicated in Scotland – despite the fact Holyrood has
received an extra £1.3billion from Westminster over five years.
He has persisted with the argument despite claims of hypocrisy
after it emerged the Scottish Government’s own spending on private contractors
rose by almost a quarter last year to more than £80million.
Mr Cameron said: ‘Health is a devolved issue. So the only
person who could, if they wanted to, introduce more private provision into the
NHS in Scotland is Alex Salmond.
‘I think this is a desperate man recognising the argument is
going away from him making a pretty desperate argument.
‘Actually because of the protection on NHS spending that the
UK Government has given that we would not cut NHS spending while we have had to
make difficult decisions elsewhere - that has actually made sure under the
Barnett formula that money is available for Scotland as well.‘So I think that argument does not stack up at all.’
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