Tackling challenges is a taxing question
Over the last 11 years, the Scottish Government has worked hard to protect individuals, public services and the economy from the impacts of austerity.
We have supported our public service and protected our distinct social contract.
However, there is no doubt that we face ever challenging circumstances.
The UK Government’s apparent determination to continue with austerity, coupled with the real risk of a hard Brexit, puts our economy and public finances in jeopardy.
By 2020, the Scottish budget will have faced a decade of cuts – a £2.9 billion cut in real terms since 2010 – coupled with cuts in the capital budget, and with further cuts expected in the coming years, means it is time for the Government, Parliament and Scotland’s people to explore alternative approaches and, in particular, consider whether now is the time to use our limited tax powers differently.
This is why, last week, the First Minister published a discussion paper on the role of income tax in Scotland, which includes proposals from all of Scotland’s political parties and how they would impact on different levels of earnings. The First Minister also outlined that any changes to income tax in Scotland must pass four key tests – including supporting public services, ensuring the lowest earners don’t see their taxes increase, making the system more progressive, and supporting the economy.
You can read the paper at : www. beta.gov.scot/publications/roleincome-tax-scotlands-budget/, and I look forward to the discussions that will ensue.
Pressure is mounting to halt the disastrous role out of Universal Credit, as a new report by the Resolution Foundation reveals that under the botched Tory policy working families will lose an average of £625 a year; working single parents will lose out by an average of £1,350 a year; and over a million two-parent families will be worse off by an average £2770 a year. Day after day, constituents contact my office about the impact Universal Credit is having on their lives. One woman with a severe mental health condition, who was moved from ESA to Universal Credit, was left with no money for six weeks and resultant rent arrears.
She was in a heightened state of anxiety and distress when she came to my office for advice and support.
I could cite many more examples and it is because of cases like this that the UK government must finally listen and stop the roll out of Universal Credit, before even more households are driven into poverty, debt and destitution and more families are forced to rely on foodbanks and emergency aid just to get by.
Last month, Stirling Tory MP Stephen Kerr had the opportunity to make his voice heard. To stand up for all the local people who have been impacted by welfare reform and to vote to stop the further role out of Universal Credit, preventing hardship and suffering for millions of people.
Given that Stirling is one of the first local authority areas in Scotland to have Universal Credit fully rolled out, the MP should know the devastating impact it is having on so many people and be able to stand up in the House of Commons to provide real life examples of why this destructive policy must be halted.
Instead he abstained, refusing to take a stance on an issue that has had such a detrimental impact on so many of his constituents – an unacceptable move that will not be forgotten by local people in a hurry.
It is time to consider whether now is the time to use our limited tax powers differently