THE Tory plans set out in the Queen’s Speech will lead to the UK “repeating the same mistakes of the last economic crisis”, according to the SNP.
The party’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the proposals “completely failed” to include the necessary investment and change to build a recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.
With a public sector pay freeze, cuts to Universal Credit and a “savings and efficiency review” of public services, Blackford said the plans are “threatening Scotland’s recovery”.
READ MORE: Queen's Speech sets out aim to 'renew democracy and the constitution'
Following the election which saw a majority of pro-independence MSPs elected to Holyrood, the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber said Boris Johnson must now respect the will of the Scottish people.
"Boris Johnson has completely failed to deliver the investment and change required to build a strong, fair and equal recovery. Instead the Tories are imposing the long-term damage of austerity cuts, Brexit and a power grab against Scotland's will,” he said.
"The Tories are repeating the same mistakes they made after the last economic crisis, by forcing through damaging cuts that are threatening Scotland's recovery.
"This should have been an ambitious plan for an investment-led recovery - with a major fiscal stimulus to create jobs, raising incomes with a real living wage, and boosting NHS and social care investment to the levels we see in Scotland. Instead the Tories are imposing cuts, introducing Trump-like voter suppression and attacking the rights of refugees.
"Scotland is on a completely different political path to Westminster. Once the crisis has passed, Boris Johnson must respect the will of the Scottish people to determine our own future in a post-pandemic independence referendum, so we can make the long-term changes needed for a strong recovery and a fairer country."
Meanwhile care groups say the failure to detail long-promised social care reforms in the Queen’s Speech is a “missed opportunity” and the Government must urgently set out how it will deliver its manifesto commitment.
Measures to address the long-standing issue of social care funding and reform were not included in the speech.
The Queen confirmed proposals will be brought forward as she set out the Government’s legislative agenda.
Introducing the speech, Boris Johnson said: “Later in the year we will bring forward proposals to reform adult social care so that every person receives the dignity and security they deserve.”
No further detail on the content of these reforms was given.
Care groups, charities and politicians have been long calling for a plan to “fix” the sector, which the Prime Minister promised in his first speech after being elected in July 2019.
Professor Martin Green, chief executive of the provider membership organisation Care England, said: “This is a missed opportunity.
“Without the much-needed, not to mention heralded, reform it is questionable as to how much longer the sector can be expected to limp on.
“A sector that supports and employs vast swathes of the population cannot be ignored.”
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