Show us the money
Scots call on Hammond to prove PM’s claim that austerity is over
THE SNP and Labour yesterday urged Chancellor Philip Hammond to show the Tories are serious about Theresa May’s claim that austerity is over.
They said Hammond must deliver in the Budget or admit the claim was a lie.
TORY Chancellor Philip Hammond has been told to listen to Scottish demands and put an end to austerity.
The run-up to his Budget statement has been dominated by concerns over years of punishing cuts and the prospect of a damaging no-deal exit from Europe.
And Prime Minister Theresa May’s party conference claim that the age of austerity is already “over” was met with disbelief and anger earlier this month.
Last night, senior SNP Government and Labour opposition figures said UK leaders must deliver on the ambitious claim – or admit it was a lie.
Scottish Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: “The Prime Minister said austerity is going to end and I’m saying to the UK Government – show me the money.”
Labour MP Lesley Laird, the shadow Scottish secretary, said: “Thousands of people across Scotland will be looking at the Budget with hope after Theresa May’s vow to end austerity earlier this month.
“If the Chancellor fails to make good on his government’s promise, then the Prime Minister’s remarks will be exposed as a cruel lie to the most vulnerable people in our society.”
Mackay and Laird called for a halt to the roll-out of Universal Credit – the new benefit that combines six previous welfare payments.
The SNP Government warned claimants in Scotland will lose about £245million by 2021. Local authorities say the poorest in society are being pushed further into the debt and rent arrears wherever the benefit is in full use.
The SNP want Hammond to refund £175million in VAT charges taken from police and fire services and commit to the UK staying in the EU’s single market and customs union. Labour want an “islands deal” to boost fragile economies, an extra £70billion in funds for Scotland over a decade, support for transition to renewable energy and a ban on charges for cash machines.
Yesterday, Hammond poured cold water on the PM’s ambitious end-of-austerity pledge by linking it to a good deal on Europe on a longer timetable.
Hammond admitted: “Once we get a good deal from the European Union and the smooth exit from the EU, we will be able to show British people that the fruits of their hard work are at last in sight.”
Today’s Budget is the last before Brexit becomes a reality. Proposals expected include a fuel duty freeze but there’s been no promise of a freeze on spirits.
Scottish Tory MPs want the SNP at Holyrood to use any extra spending generated from the UK Budget to go directly to support GPs.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said his party would “stop” Brexit by giving people a say on the deal.
He added: “No Budget can compensate the country for the huge financial Brexit blackhole the Tories are set on delivering.”