The Scottish Government's Independent Budget Review was announced today (Thursday).

In response, Oxfam Scotland's UK Poverty Programme Co-ordinator, Jim Boyle said:

"Oxfam agrees with the idea that all public services should be open to scrutiny and that there should be debate on how to make them more effective.

However, it is paramount that any changes to public services based on this review should not make life harder for the poorest people in Scotland.

All spending needs to be assessed according to the impact on the poorest, and any proposed cuts need to be scrutinised as to whether they will reduce or exacerbate inequalities.

We already live in a deeply unequal society and it would be a travesty if any decisions based on this review further entrenched the lack of opportunity that the poorest people face. This should be an opportunity for change, not for cuts."