SCOTLAND’s six Tory MPs should stand up for low and middle-income earners and oppose the UK Government’s plan to increase National Insurance (NI) – a tax rise designed “to pay for Westminster policy failures in England”, according to the SNP.
Kirsten Oswald, the party's Depute Westminster leader criticised the proposal, suggesting the move will disproportionately hit those on lower and middle-income pay – a large proportion of whom have already been affected by a decade of Tory austerity, Brexit and Covid.
She is now calling on Scotland’s six Tory MPs to finally grow a backbone and reject the move.
Douglas Ross and Scottish Tory MPs have repeatedly come under criticism for running to fall into line behind Boris Johnson to impose pernicious policies and save the Westminster government from defeat, including slashing aid for the world's poorest, imposing Brexit against Scotland's will, and extending free school meals.
“The proposal to increase National Insurance is nothing more than a ploy to pay for Westminster policy failures in England,” said Oswald.
“Let’s be clear: unless we are assured that this increase will benefit devolved nations through Barnett consequentials, lower and middle-income earners in Scotland will be forced to pay more to fix a Westminster policy failure in England.
“However, that comes as no surprise given this Tory government’s record in Scotland.
“Not only have Scotland’s low and middle-income earners had to tackle a pandemic for the last 18 months, they’ve also had to deal with a botched Brexit deal as well as 10 years of Tory austerity.
“The SNP will not stand by quietly and let further cuts be inflicted on these individuals.
“That is why I am calling on Scotland’s six Tory MPs to finally back a progressive, forward-thinking policy rather than simply falling in line with Boris Johnson's orders as usual.”
Oswald added: “They failed to stand up for the world's poorest on aid; they failed to stand up to support free school meals, and they failed Scotland on Brexit – they simply cannot fail hard-working Scots by increasing National Insurance.
“There can be no doubt that Scotland is increasingly vulnerable under Westminster control. For every step we take to build a more equal society, the Tories – alongside Scotland’s six Conservative MPs – drag us back with cuts that will directly affect Scotland’s lowest earners.”
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