The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
SNP demands crisis cash in royal speech
The SNP says Westminster must give Holyrood an emergency budget to help it deal with the cost of living crisis.
Finance spokeswoman Alison Thewliss MP says the Tories have done nothing to support those hardest hit by the spiralling cost of living and strong action needs to be taken.
She wants to see the government pledge emergency funding for Scotland in the Queen’s Speech tomorrow.
Ms Thewliss said: “The Tories have so far done nothing to support the families and households bearing the brutal brunt of this Tory-made cost of living crisis.
“Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, too mired in sleaze and scandal to focus on the issues of the day, have directly plunged millions more into poverty and destitution, and without government action that number will increase exponentially.
“Next week’s return to the House presents the UK
Government with an opportunity to finally bring forward real legislation to support those who are struggling, an introduction of the real living wage, the turning of the paltry energy support loan into a more generous grant, and a UKwide child payment would all be a good start.
“There are families who cannot afford to wait much longer and businesses on the brink of going bust – the Tories must stop sitting on their hands and get on with their job of helping the country.”
Ms Thewliss’s comments come after the British Chamber of Commerce also appealed for an emergency budget to support businesses and families.
Mr Johnson has said he will reveal a “super seven” of Brexit bills to do away with unnecessary barriers inherited from the EU.
He said: “I call them the super seven – and they will benefit families and businesses across the land by changing old EU rules that don’t work for the UK.
“From data reform to gene-editing to financial services, these bills will allow us to thrive as a modern, dynamic and independent country, and this government is getting on with delivering them.”
It is unclear whether the Queen will attend the event – Prince Charles is expected to stand in if she does not.
A spokeswoman for HM Treasury said: “We understand that people are struggling with rising prices, and while we can’t shield everyone from the global challenges we face, we’re supporting British families to navigate the months ahead with a £22 billion package of support this financial year.
“That includes saving the typical employee over £330 a year by raising the national insurance contribution threshold, lowering the universal credit taper rate to help people keep more of the money they earn, and providing millions of households with up to £350 each to help with rising energy bills.”