Finance Secretary responds to Chancellor's statement.
The UK Budget “fails to deliver” for Scotland and will not move
the dial on the cost of living for squeezed households, Finance
Secretary has said.
Responding to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement, Ms
Robison said:
“This Budget has been absolute chaos from start to finish.
Westminster has been consumed with leaks, briefings and out and
out incompetence - with Scotland left as an afterthought and
families left to pay the price.
“We needed a step change from the UK Government with investment
in public services, support for jobs and industry in Scotland and
serious action on energy bills. Instead, we got a chaotic
mess and the increase in funding for the Scottish Government will
not even cover half the cost of the employer's national insurance
contributions brought in this year.
"With UK energy bills £340 higher than the Prime Minister
promised even after today's announcement, the UK Government are
not even trying to deliver on the their promises. It is insulting
to see the UK Government stand up and trumpet a proposed
reduction that does not even cover the increase since they came
to office.
“It does not come close to meeting the Prime Minister's pledge on
energy bills - they have not even attempted to keep their
promises.
“The electric vehicle tax is the wrong decision for motorists,
the climate and for Scotland given its disproportionate impact on
rural drivers.
“And there is no serious support for jobs and industry in
Scotland. The Energy Profits Levy is to remain in place - risking
thousands of jobs in Scotland and in the North East in
particular. Yet again, Scotland is an afterthought.
“And while the moves on the two child cap are welcome, they are
long overdue and the UK Government has been forced into this
position by the Scottish Government and other campaigners. And
without a simultaneous change to the benefit cap it falls well
short of the bold anti-poverty measures we have been calling for
from the UK Government.
“But the complete chaos around this Budget gets to the heart of
the fact that we should not be leaving crucial decisions around
the economy, public finances and household bills in the hands of
a deeply incompetent Westminster UK government. We should
take these decisions for ourselves with the fresh start of
independence.”
Background
The impact of the increase Employers National Insurance
contributions on public services is forecast to cost the Scottish
Government at least £2 billion over the next five years.
