| How will Independence affect schools, hospitals and other public services? |
| Wednesday, 18 March 2009 15:11 |
| There will be continuity in these services, as the Scottish Government already has its own departments responsible for agriculture, fishing, education, the environment, health, social work, housing, libraries, museums, the arts, sport, industrial development, the police, fire and prison services, roads and transport, water and sewerage and local government. These departments already have Ministers, buildings and staff in Scotland, so we are already much of the way towards setting up our own independent government structures. The main difference in these departments after Independence will be that their existing civil servants will be employed in a Scottish civil service, rather than as part of the U.K. Civil Service as at present. Local Health Boards, local authorities, schools and the police will all continue to befunded by the Scottish Government. The difference with Independence is that, finally, the money coming into public services will reflect the wealth of Scotland. Within the UK, public services in Scotland are coming under increasing pressure to follow New Labour’s privatising agenda. This has already led to more expensive privately inanced and owned school and hospital buildings. Independence provides opportunities for a different, more accountable, vision of public services in Scotland. |
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