The First Minister said he “can’t put a specific figure” on many public sector roles will be chopped as the SNP Government struggles to plug a £5 billion financial blackhole.
John Swinney has failed to say how many jobs will go as a result of his plan to slash the number of health boards across Scotland.
The First Minister last week unveiled his ambition to centralise public services – which could see councils forced to merge to save cash – as the SNP Government struggles to plug a £5 billion blackhole in its finances by 2030.
Swinney told MSPs that Scotland’s 14 regional NHS boards would be reduced to just two covering the mainland – a plan trade unions described as a “slash and burn” approach to reforming the health service.
The SNP leader was asked four times during an interview with BBC Scotland today if he could say how roles many would be cut as a result of the proposals.
Swinney said: “I can’t put a specific figure on that today. I simply wouldn’t be giving a comprehensive answer if that was case.
“What we’ve got to work our way through is a programme of reform to make sure we put people right at the very centre of the delivery of public services.
“That will apply on all of the public service we take forward. We’ll ensure that Scotland is rewired and public services are reimagined.”
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour acting leader, said: “It’s hard to tell whether John Swinney is being evasive or simply has no idea what he is going to do, but either way it’s not good enough.
“People’s jobs are on the line and our public services could be plunged into chaos – Scotland deserves to know what lies ahead.
“SNP chaos has done enough damage to our services and our finances already. The SNP must come clean about what it is planning, how many jobs are at risk and what it will mean for our public services.”
Swinney has also signalled his intention to rip up how social care is currently delivered across the country.
The SNP Government previously scrapped plans to launch a so-called National Care Service in the face of a backlash from councils and unions.
Swinney insisted: “On health and social care, we have to have greater process of integration to make sure the service is seamless, that works in the interests of individuals, and that we can deliver the care that individuals require in their communities.
“And that’s an open question for us to discuss with not just local authorities, but with trade unions and third sector partners to make sure we use this moment of reform to deliver the best outcomes for the people of Scotland.”
Put to him that he wanted to see the number of councils to reduce to save money, Swinney responded: “I do, and I want local authorities at a more regional level in Scotland.
“We’re already having discussions with a number of local authorities who can see the advantages of such an approach. And I want to work with them to take forward such a model.
The FM claimed the new “strategic regional authorities” would have “more powers and more responsibilities and greater scope to boost the economy”.
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