Budget (Scotland) (No 4) Bill: Stage 3

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 3:57 pm on 13 February 2003.

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Photo of Mike Rumbles Mike Rumbles Liberal Democrat 3:57, 13 February 2003

Here we come to the nub of the question. I am glad that Richard Simpson intervened to make that point, which illustrates the argument over what the Arbuthnott formula is doing. People must regularly appear in Richard Simpson's constituency surgeries, as they appear in mine, talking about the lack of funds that holds back access to health services and about how the health service in other parts of the country can provide access to particular treatments. He and I, and indeed the Minister for Health and Community Care, are well aware of that.

Nobody doubts that the extent of social deprivation is higher in Glasgow than it is in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine—I would be the first to accept that. The point, however, is that people should have access to NHS services at the same level, wherever they live. If we want to tackle social exclusion—and I do—we should tackle it on issues of housing, social security and so on, but not through the health budget.