‘Desperately short of what is needed’
THE Chancellor’s cost-ofliving package was welcomed by some, but he has been reminded it will “not be enough” to save millions from hardship in the coming months.
Kirsty Blackman, SNP work and pensions spokesperson, said: “While some of the measures announced by the Chancellor, including his U-turn on the SNP’s repeated calls to turn his energy loan into a more generous grant, are welcome, it’s clear that they still fall desperately short of what is needed at this critical time.
“The Chancellor is sitting on an estimated £30bn of fiscal headroom but has only chosen to spend around £15bn. While people are sitting in cold houses and turning to food banks, Rishi Sunak is sitting on £15bn as an election war chest.” The Scottish Greens said it “doesn’t go far enough”.
Ross Greer, Scottish Greens finance spokesperson, said: “Rishi Sunak has presided over record food prices, record fuel prices and record household energy bills, yet for months he claimed there was nothing he could do.
“In a transparent attempt to distract from his own government’s outrageous behaviour he has now finally been forced to act. These measures don’t go nearly far enough to support struggling families.”
The Scottish Tories had previously been against a windfall tax but support the Chancellor. Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservatives energy spokesperson, said: “As Conservatives we are instinctively against raising taxes but the scale of the cost-of-living crisis requires action.
“I have sought and received assurances that the measures the Chancellor has put in place will not undermine the oil and gas industry that supports 100,000 Scottish jobs, or stifle investment in this crucial industry.”
Meanwhile charities said the poorest are still going to be hit the hardest.
Derek Mitchell, Citizens Advice Scotland chief executive, said: “People have been desperate for support and today’s announcement is very welcome, however those on low incomes are still going to feel a significant squeeze on their household budgets and no-one should be in any doubt about what that means – people choosing between feeding their children or keeping them warm.”