Mackay calls for end to ‘damaging austerity’

politics: Treasury says Autumn Statement will help ‘build a country that works for everyone’

The SNP has demanded the Chancellor abandons his party’s austerity agenda ahead of his first Autumn Statement.

Philip Hammond, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is to outline his tax and spending plans to MPs this afternoon.

The Treasury has indicated he will make buying a home more affordable and increase the National Living Wage as part of an economy-boosting package to “help people’s money go further” and “build a country that works for everyone”.

Derek Mackay, the SNP’s finance secretary, has told Mr Hammond to stop inflicting cuts on Scotland.

“Our discretionary budget will have been cut by £3.3 billion in real terms, or 10.6%, since 2010-11, and within this our capital budget will have fallen by £600 million or 15.7%,” he said.

“I have written to the Chancellor and urged him to end the damaging austerity agenda when he sets out the Autumn Statement later today.”

His sentiments were echoed by Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, who called on the Chancellor to invest in public services.

“The Tory mantra of cut, cut and cut again simply isn’t working. Today the Government should admit that fact and bring the cuts to an end,” she said.

Mr Hammond is to inject £1.4bn to help build 40,000 affordable homes, his department said, as well as raise the National Living Wage to £7.50 an hour from April.

Three million people will also keep more of the cash they earn under a plan to reduce the Universal Credit taper rate to 63%.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said the SNP will have to make decisions on how much income tax it levies when Holyrood gets new powers.

She added: “People will also want to see a positive reaction from the SNP today.

“Griping and sniping about the UK Government isn’t enough.

“It is time to stop dithering in government and get on with governing.”

Our discretionary budget will have been cut by £3.3bn in real terms... DEREK MACKAY MSP

Picture: PA. Chancellor Philip Hammond is expected to announce an economy-boosting package of spending plans when he makes his Autumn Statement this afternoon.