THE SNP have called for a major package of investment to boost household incomes and stimulate the economy after new figures revealed UK redundancies have risen to a record high.
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) labour market survey, published yesterday, revealed that redundancies hit 370,000 in the three months to October, while the UK unemployment rate rose again to 4.9% with more than 819,000 fewer people in employment in November than February. Hospitality and retail were among the worst-hit sectors.
There are fears of worse to come as the coronavirus pandemic continues and the Brexit transition period ends.
SNP shadow chancellor Alison Thewliss said: “This staggering rise in redundancies must be an urgent wake-up call for the Tory Government, which has left millions behind during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is crucial that the Chancellor introduces a major package of support to boost household incomes and stimulate economic growth. We cannot afford a repeat of the mistakes made under Thatcher, when the Tories let unemployment soar and put people on the scrap heap.
“The damage of Covid-19 will be compounded by reckless Tory plans for a low deal or No-Deal, extreme Brexit which will deliver a hammer blow to the UK economy at the worst possible time, causing lasting harm to people’s jobs, incomes and businesses.”
Thewliss added: “The SNP are calling for a major fiscal stimulus package of at least £98 billion, on a par with other countries, and the devolution of financial powers to protect jobs and incomes. This must include reversing the Tory public-sector pay freeze, delivering support for the three million excluded, and helping those on benefits by making the £20 uplift to Universal Credit permanent and extending it to legacy benefits.
“By imposing an extreme Brexit, withholding investment and blocking devolution, the Tories are threatening Scotland’s recovery and risk causing a protracted downturn.
“Scotland shouldn’t have to wait for Westminster to act. It is clearer than ever that the only way to properly protect Scotland’s economy, our place in Europe, and secure a strong, fair and green recovery is to become an independent country.”
The ONS figures showed a small drop in unemployment in Scotland fell slightly between August and October. The unemployment rate among those aged 16 and over was 4.2% – 0.6% down on the previous quarter.
The employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 was 74.8%, a 1.4% increase on the previous quarter.
Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “These figures still do not reflect the full impact of coronavirus on employment as the Job Retention Scheme has played an important role in supporting employers and employees.
“We are also facing huge economic uncertainty as a result of Brexit and the UK Government’s decision to leave the transition period on December 31 in the middle of a pandemic and a recession.”
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