Badenoch and Strathspey MP slates UK's 'too little, too late' autumn statement
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The SNP's economy spokesman, Drew Hendry has said the Tory government's autumn budget is "far too little, too late for the squeezed majority of households" - as the soaring cost of household bills outpaces the limited help on offer in today's statement.
With families paying thousands more for their energy bills, mortgages, rents and food shopping, Drew Hendry MP (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey) said "the limited measures in today's statement won't touch the sides for most households, who have seen their monthly costs go through the roof".
He said that in an underwhelming budget, the Chancellor:
Failed to introduce a £400 energy bill rebate for households - despite bills being around double what they were in 2021 and expected to rise yet again this week
Failed to match the SNP government's council tax freeze and Scottish Child Payment - which are putting thousands of pounds back in the pockets of families in Scotland
Failed to introduce mortgage interest tax relief - despite many families paying thousands of pounds more in interest due to soaring rates
Failed to take action to reduce food prices - despite countries like France intervening to help families with their grocery bills
Failed to reverse real terms Tory cuts to public sector pay for millions of workers
Commenting after Mr Hunt's statement was delivered to the House, Mr Hendry said:
"This Tory budget is far too little, too late for the squeezed majority of households - and it shows why Scotland urgently needs the full powers of independence to boost incomes and grow our economy.
"With UK energy bills, mortgages, rents and food prices soaring, the very limited measures in the Chancellor's statement won't touch the sides for most households who have seen their monthly costs go through the roof - and will still be hundreds of pounds worse off.
"This is yet another con trick from a Tory government that trashed the UK economy, failed to match the SNP government's council tax freeze and Scottish Child Payment - and has refused to devolve powers to the Scottish Parliament so the SNP can act where they won't."
"The UK economy is trapped in a vicious cycle of poor growth, stagnant wages and rising poverty as a result of Brexit and Tory cuts - but neither Rishi Sunak nor Keir Starmer will change course from the damaging Westminster policies that got the UK into this mess.
"Scotland needs the full powers of independence. Independent European countries like Scotland are wealthier and fairer than the UK - so the question is: why not Scotland?"
