BORIS Johnson is threatening the UK’s recovery from the pandemic by delivering the smallest post-Covid economic stimulus package of any G7 country, the SNP have warned.
US President Joe Biden opened this weekend’s summit of world leaders in Cornwall by urging a “carry on spending” plan in the wake of coronavirus. The approach was reported to have been backed by all the leaders, including Johnson.
However the SNP highlighted figures which show as a proportion of GDP, the UK so far has the smallest stimulus package of any G7 country, despite suffering the worst economic slump.
Yesterday thousands of protestors brought streets to a standstill on the second day of the G7 summit, which is taking place near St Ives.
A rally was also held outside Holyrood in support and to protest against “greenwashing”, which was addressed by Green MSP Lorna Slater and Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury.
Figures published by Statista show the value of Covid-19 fiscal stimulus packages in the UK, as a share of GDP, were 17.82%, as of May 2021.
Japan had the highest spending at 56.09%, followed by Germany at 39.3% and Italy at 37.69%. The US figure was 26.46%, with France on 23.82% and Canada on 18.55%.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford MP accused the Prime Minister of threatening the UK’s Covid recovery by imposing austerity cuts and failing to deliver the investment to protect the economy.
READ MORE: Ian Blackford: Boris Johnson has 'moral responsibility' to reverse aid cuts
He said: “It makes no sense that the UK has the smallest stimulus package of any G7 country despite suffering the worst economic slump. By cutting support and withholding investment, the Tories are putting the jobs, incomes and livelihoods of millions of people on the line.
“Scotland is increasingly vulnerable under Westminster control. It’s clear that independence is the only way to keep Scotland safe from Tory cuts and build a strong, fair and equal recovery.”
On Friday, Johnson said the G7 must avoid the errors that followed the 2008 financial crash and ensure the recovery helped all parts of society.
However, Blackford highlighted UK Government plans to end the coronavirus uplift to Universal Credit, a pay freeze for many public sector workers and an ending of furlough by October.
He added: “The SNP has consistently argued for a major fiscal stimulus package to deliver an investment-led recovery. It’s vital that the UK Government now brings forward an emergency summer budget to turbo charge investment – instead of risking the recovery.”
Meanwhile, Johnson escalated his dispute with the EU by warning he will do whatever it takes to keep goods flowing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
The EU has insisted checks must begin, as agreed in the Brexit deal, but the UK has said it is prepared to ignore the rules to prevent disruption to trade.
The row – dubbed the “sausage war” – could mean chilled meats will not be shipped across the Irish Sea because of EU rules after the end of the month.
Ahead of the G7 meeting, the EU had warned its patience with the UK was “wearing thin” and it was reported Biden has “deep concerns” the row could endanger peace in Northern Ireland.
Following talks with key EU figures, the Prime Minister said he would not hesitate to take unilateral action to protect the position of Northern Ireland in the increasingly bitter row over post-Brexit trading arrangements.
He said: “I’ve talked to some of our friends here today who do seem to misunderstand that the UK is a single country and a single territory. I think they just need to get that into their heads.”
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