THE SNP will demand a parliamentary inquiry into the impact of Brexit on the soaring cost of living in the UK.
Ahead of the opposition day debate on the SNP motion, which would create a new parliamentary select committee focused on the impact of Brexit, MP Dr Philippa Whitford said, “independence is Scotland’s only route back to the EU”.
The committee would be made up of 45 members and be chaired by an SNP MP.
This is an innovative use of an opposition day, not seen this before. https://t.co/cTXk1KG9dZ
— PARLY (@PARLYapp) June 14, 2023
She warned that “people are paying an unacceptable price for Westminster failure, as the Tories and pro-Brexit Labour Party wreck the economy”.
The SNP will push for a vote on the motion and have urged the Labour Party to “stop dancing to the Tory tune on Brexit”.
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It comes as analysis from the London School of Economics revealed Brexit has added £6 billion to UK food bills, leaving households £210 worse off on average.
Meanwhile, the OBR has forecast a 4% hit to UK GDP and a 15% hit to UK trade from Brexit.
Whitford continued: “Brexit has been an unmitigated disaster for the UK economy – costing us billions and sending the cost of living soaring.
“Yet, the Tories and pro-Brexit Labour Party are guilty of a conspiracy of silence over its devastating impact.
“The SNP is the only party offering real change with independence, which is Scotland’s only route back to Europe, sustained economic growth and prosperity.”
She called on both the Tories and Labour to “admit the long-term damage their Brexit obsession is doing to Scotland”.
The call for the inquiry comes as the latest figures show that UK GDP increased by 0.2% in April, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Commenting, the SNP’s economy spokesperson Stewart Hosie said: “The UK’s sluggish, post-Brexit growth continues to hold Scotland back.
“At a time when millions of households are suffering from the Westminster cost of living crisis, neither the Tories or pro-Brexit Labour offer families an alternative.
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“It makes sense to re-join the EU and regain access to the world’s largest single market, that’s seven times bigger than the UK market, to grow Scotland’s economy and drive down household bills.
“The SNP is the only party offering that future to voters.”
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