Ladies and Gentlemen
Welcome to the Dewar Centre for the 2011 Scottish Conservative Party Conference.
When asked if I’d speak to the hall regarding Health, I needed some inspiration. Who would have thought it would have come from the First Minister Alex Salmond!
Yes – Alex Salmond. Thought that would get your attention. No, I haven’t had leave of my senses or had a heavy night out in Perth last night. I’m talking about the abolition of Prescription Charges in Scotland.
The Scottish Conservatives are clear on this issue. Giving away free prescriptions to those who can well afford to pay for them is politically irresponsible and a drain on public resources at this time of huge financial challenges in the NHS.
The abolition of prescription charges is nothing but sheer populism by the SNP and unworkable and unaffordable in the current economic climate.
Unfortunately, it is an absolute necessity to seek a reverse of this universal freebie in order to deal with Labour’s debt legacy.
The young, the elderly and those on benefits are already exempt.
Using millions of Scotland’s health budget to reduce the cost of prescriptions to zero means it simply can’t be spent elsewhere.
Ahead of April’s free for all, some 50% of people who are exempt from prescription charges account for 92% of all prescriptions.
Once again, the Conservatives are the Champion for Common Sense and for the Common Good of the people of Scotland.
Both Labour and the SNP are failing to face up to financial reality.
In these difficult economic times, we have to make tough decisions and prioritise what we need most.
Free prescriptions for those who can afford it are NOT a priority – it is simply absurd that all the other parties cannot see this.
Using a further £70 million of much needed funds to abolish charges - £50m for loss of income and £20m to allow for increased take up – will not help knock Scotland of the top of the Sick Man of Europe League Table.
These much needed funds are therefore simply nothing other than further reward for middle class people who can clearly afford to pay the charge. The money being taken out of the Health Budget to give free prescriptions to people like Alex Salmond could be much better spent elsewhere maintaining and enhancing frontline services.
When will Alex Salmond and his Minority Government wake up from the fantasy politics and blatent election opportunism that is clearly pushing a Socialist agenda?
The Scottish Conservatives will continue to argue for a return of a Prescription Levy. Remember this, only 6% of prescriptions are paid for. It makes no sense to take money out of the NHS as we tackle Labour’s legacy.
By restoring prescription charges to £5 for those 6% who currently pay prior to next month’s changes, the Scottish Conservatives would be in a position to invest £20m per year in providing more Health Visitors in Scotland.
It’s really is time for the Scottish Government to get their priorities in place and deliver for all.
Finally, in the time it took to deliver this speech, some £330k in National Debt Interest repayments courtesy of Labour’s legacy have been racked up - money taken away from essential front line services. This is nothing short of a disgrace.
Fellow Candidates and foot soldiers, whether you are out canvassing on the streets of Scotland or speaking at a local Hustings, never ever let Labour forget about the mess they have left us to clear up in the run in to May 5th.
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