PEOPLE across the UK are being absolutely hammered by the cost of living crisis right now, thanks to a multitude of issues exacerbated by the Tory government.
With Universal Credit cut, National Insurance set to be raised, energy bills about to spiral and everyday essentials getting increasingly dear (no thanks to Brexit-linked HGV driver shortages), something has to be done to help households facing heightened pressure over the coming weeks and months.
Across Europe, governments are taking action to protect their citizens from massive bills and worrying costs.
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So, it seems more than fair enough to raise this at Westminster for a debate, right? In fact, it seems pretty necessary if some figures are accurate. Think tank the Resolution Foundation expects families to face an extra £1200 hit from April – and the Bank of England believes inflation could hit 6% by the spring.
But according to Conservative MSP for Central Scotland, Stephen Kerr, this all pales in comparison to SNP policy.
“The SNP MPs have called a 3-hour debate in Westminster to attack the UK Government on the cost of living,” he fumed on Monday afternoon. “They could perhaps find the time to shoot a message off to Sturgeon in the ScotGov, who has just opened the door to a huge council tax increase (up to 12%).”
Indeed – the Scottish Government lifted the freeze on council tax. It’s now up to councils to decide how they’ll react, and if prices will go up.
Of course, there are schemes in place to help people struggling to pay their council tax. There are a number of discounts and reductions in place, and the means-tested Council Tax Reduction program brings down or completely eliminates council tax liability for half a million lower income households in Scotland. But Kerr didn’t mention that. Why would he, when he could attack the Scottish Government instead?
“What about the NI rise the WM gov are imposing. Any comments on that?” asked Twitter user Bruce. “No thought not.”
Our thoughts exactly …
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
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