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Scots secretary in Holyrood visit Finances 'brutal', warns minister
(about 9 hours later)
Michael Moore is furthering the UK government's "respect" agendaMichael Moore is furthering the UK government's "respect" agenda
MSPs are expected to be given a warning of tough decisions ahead as the UK government tackles the budget deficit. The "brutal" state of the UK's public finances will mean real cuts north of the border, the new Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has warned.
Michael Moore will stress the economic pressures as he becomes the first Scottish secretary to address the Scottish Parliament later. The Liberal Democrat MP's comments came in the face of the £155bn deficit facing the UK.
The trip comes after Prime Minister David Cameron visited Edinburgh as part of his "respect agenda" between the Scottish and UK parliaments. Mr Moore spoke as he became the first secretary of state for Scotland to address the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Moore will address a meeting of Holyrood committee conveners. The visit followed a similar trip by David Cameron as part of his Westminster/Holyrood "respect agenda".
He was recently appointed to government after his predecessor, Danny Alexander, became chief secretary to the Treasury. Meanwhile, Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney has reiterated to public sector bosses the need to deliver maximum value for money in the face of "Westminster cuts".
Mr Moore, a Liberal Democrat MP, will explain the UK administration's programme for government. Addressing Scottish Parliament committee conveners on the spending decisions ahead, the Scottish secretary warned: "It's going to be tough."
The visit comes a day after the minister told the first session of Scottish questions in the Commons that legislation on new Holyrood powers would be brought forward in the autumn. Mr Moore went on: "None of us at the moment can escape the brutal reality of the state of the public finances."
The UK government has pledged to implement the recommendations of the Calman review, which recommended enhanced tax and other powers for the Scottish Parliament. The minister said the spending deficit equated to £2,500 for "every man, woman and child across the United Kingdom", adding: "It's a staggering sum of money and it's no surprise in that context that the major priority of the United Kingdom is to tackle that deficit.
"For the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish government, you're going to be dealing with real cuts over the next few years.
"That's going to be tough - it's going to be tough for all of us."
Mr Moore was recently appointed to government after his predecessor, Danny Alexander, became chief secretary to the Treasury.
Mr Swinney has written to council leaders, NHS bosses and quango chiefs, warning that no part of the public sector will be immune from potential spending cuts.
"Scotland is facing a massive financial challenge in dealing with the fall-out from the mismanagement of the UK's finances," he said.
"We are very aware that much work is already underway, but we must be vigilant and determined in pursuing economy and efficiency over and above what has already been achieved."