UNITED WE STAND
Forbes teams up with Welsh and Northern Irish in bid for more help
SCOTTISH finance minister Kate Forbes has joined with Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts to call on the Chancellor to raise targeted support for the worst-off in the cost-of-living crisis.
In a joint letter to Nadhim Zahawi, Forbes, Rebecca Evans and Conor Murphy said further support is needed for households and businesses ahead of another energy price hike.
They also urge the Zahawi to develop a “fair approach” to public sector pay and ask for a rise in devolved budgets to deal with emerging pressures, including in the health service.
Zahawi’s predecessor Rishi Sunak had announced that a £650 payment will be made to more than eight million low-income households who receive benefits.
And he pledged a scheme where all UK households will get a grant to cut energy bills by £400 from October.
The three devolved finance ministers wrote: “Further action is required to address significant gaps in support for vulnerable households, families, businesses and the delivery of services.
“The prospect that the autumn energy price cap increase will be more than anticipated will only add to the pressures they are facing. The UK Government must also take more concerted steps to ensure more sustainable energy prices in the longer-term.
“The cost-of-living crisis is not evenly distributed and the focus should be on providing targeted support to those most adversely impacted, rather than reducing broad-based taxes.
“Neither should tax cuts result in tighter controls on spending which will impact on delivery of public services which are already facing immense pressures.”