The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
SNP claims ‘little Britain Brexit’ risks Scottish jobs
Prime Minister defends her 12-point plan on UK exit from European Union
The SNP has accused Theresa May of risking Scottish jobs and wages with a “little Britain Brexit”.
Angus Robertson, the party’s leader at Westminster, made the attack during Prime Minister’s Questions.
He cited a Fraser of Allander report, which predicted that tens of thousands of positions could be axed as a result of the UK leaving the European Union.
Mr Robertson said: “Tories jeering and cheering when the forecast for people’s income is that it is likely to drop by £2,000, and that 80,000 people may lose their jobs in Scotland as a result of the hard Tory Brexit plan of the Prime Minister.
“Does the Prime Minister believe this is a price worth paying for her Little Britain Brexit?”
Mrs May said she is bidding to set up a free trade deal which would work to the benefit the whole of the UK and claimed independence would commit Scotland to leaving the single market.
The PM added: “The Right Hon Gentleman once again talks about the possibility of a negative impact on Scotland if Scotland were not part of the single market – his party is dedicated to taking Scotland out of the single market by taking it out of the United Kingdom.”
She insisted she remains committed to working with all the UK’s devolved administrations when it comes to striking a deal with the EU and pledged to examine the Scottish Government’s proposals for quitting the Brussels bloc.
Earlier, Mrs May accused Jeremy Corbyn of “not having a clue” over Brexit as she faced pressure to reveal if Britain will pay for single market access.
The Prime Minister refused to be drawn on whether payments would be required after the UK withdraws from the bloc despite Labour leader Mr Corbyn repeatedly raising the issue.
She was forced to defend her 12-point Brexit plan as the pair clashed at Prime Minister’s Questions.
The Labour leader criticised Mrs May for delivering her key Brexit speech away from the Commons, telling MPs: “Restoring parliamentary democracy while sidelining Parliament?
“It’s not so much the Iron Lady as the Irony Lady.”
He urged Mrs May to “stop her threat of a bargain basement Brexit, a low-paid tax haven on the shores of Europe”.
Mr Corbyn said: “It won’t necessarily damage the EU but it would certainly damage this country.”
He claimed Mrs May “demeans herself and her office and our country’s standing” by making these “threats”.
The PM replied: “What I set out yesterday was a plan for a global Britain bringing prosperity to this country and jobs to people and spreading economic growth across this country.”
Mrs May said people had learnt more about Mr Corbyn’s thinking: “What he said was the following: ‘She has said leave the single market, then at the same time says she wants to have access to the single market. I’m not quite sure how that’s going to go down in Europe. I think we have to have a deal that ensures we have access to the market’. I’ve got a plan, he does not have a clue.”
The exchange came shortly before it was confirmed that the Supreme Court will give its judgment in the legal battle over Brexit on Tuesday.
The highest court in the land will decide whether to reject or allow a Government appeal against a High Court ruling which blocked the royal prerogative being used to trigger Britain’s exit from the European Union without Parliament having a say.
The ruling was won by campaigners led by investment manager Gina Miller and hairdresser Deir Dos Santos,
Meanwhile, Aberdeen MP Kirsty Blackman questioned whether any part of the Great Repeal Bill would be considered in Parliament under English Votes for English Laws, thereby denying Scottish MPs a say in part of the process.
She added: “Any legislation brought before this House, if any part of it only applies to England, then it will be subject to the English votes on English laws.”
Any Bill will be voted on by all MPs.