THE UK Government’s Budget confirmed many people’s worst fears. In every constituency in Scotland, the Tories’ ongoing austerity will hit people in the pocket as the price of living continues to soar.
For the highest earners across the rest of the UK to be given a tax cut – when families on low incomes continue to be squeezed – is totally wrong.
Thank goodness we now have, and will maintain, a different tax model in Scotland. Most people north of the Border pay less tax than others in the rest of the UK.
But the Scottish Government’s progressive changes enable greater investment in our NHS, schools and vital public services.
The changes announced to Universal Credit in the Budget are totally insufficient. I witnessed the brutal impact of Universal Credit last week when I held a summit in Alloa. Every single participant gave evidence that demonstrates just how this policy does not work.
Disappointingly neither of the two local Tory MPs came along. Their head in the sand approach, when confronted with their constituents reporting rising food bank use, homelessness and rent arrears, will tell against them in the future. But the misery of Universal Credit is happening now.
I heard of many examples of imposed hardship at the summit. One was of a constituent with complex mental health issues, who accrued more than £700 of rent arrears during the “wait” period. She fell behind with other debts and was forced to turn to a food bank to survive.
Even Westminster’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) agrees that Universal Credit is causing unacceptable hardship for many of its claimants. The PAC’s recent report said the Department for Work and Pensions is a “department in denial” and is turning a “deaf ear” to this real and serious impact. This has to be halted straight away.
In stark contrast to this the SNP’s vision of hope and optimism rejects this path which is leading to a divided and uncaring society. We are working to create a fairer and inclusive country where the most vulnerable are cared for.
The Tories think they can do whatever they want to Scotland and get away with it – and Westminster now treats Scotland with open contempt.
But we don’t have to accept this. And the only way to stop it is with independence, which will allow Scotland to become the type of nation we know we can be. Our campaign to grow support for independence continues with a further day of action planned for Saturday, November 17.
Within the SNP progress never stops. Just yesterday we welcomed Kirsten Oswald as the party’s new business convener. She brings a wealth of energy, expertise and experience to the role and I look forward to working with her.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here