The Scottish National Party has called for the Labour government to urgently review what it describes as “anti business policies” which it says are damaging jobs, investment and economic growth across Scotland and the UK.
The comments were made by Dave Doogan following growing warnings over rising unemployment and wider concerns around the UK economy.
Recent economic forecasts have suggested unemployment could continue to rise over the coming years with reports warning around 250,000 people could lose their jobs by 2027.
Official figures also show UK unemployment has risen from 4.2 percent to 4.9 percent since Labour came to power.
The number of UK job vacancies has also fallen over the same period.
Doogan said:
“The Labour government must launch an urgent review into its anti business policies, which are destroying jobs, squeezing wages, increasing prices and harming investment across Scotland and the UK.
“As the SNP’s Westminster Leader, I will be an unashamedly pro business voice in the UK Parliament championing support for our business community to create good local jobs, boost people’s wages, deliver investment in our communities and bring wealth back into our economy.
“Family businesses, and key industries, are at the beating heart of our communities from the corner shop and local pub, to farming and fishing, and Scotland’s crucial energy sector.
“But damaging Labour government policies, including the National Insurance tax hike and the punitive tax regime on Scotland’s energy, are hammering businesses and destroying thousands of Scottish jobs.
“They must be urgently reviewed and scrapped as soon as possible.
“The truth is, Britain’s broken economy still hasn’t revived from the 2008 financial crash.
“The UK has had twenty years of stagnation poor wages, rising living costs, flat lining economic growth, low productivity and the self inflicted disaster of Brexit.
“Families and businesses urgently need a government that is on their side but Labour government policies are making things worse and Brexit Britain is more broken than ever.
“It is no surprise that, under the Labour Party, UK unemployment has risen at a five year high, vacancies have collapsed, the cost of living has soared, economic growth has been downgraded and public finances have deteriorated.
“That is a direct consequence of the Labour government’s damaging policies, and its failure to respond to the challenges we face.
“There are already 300,000 more unemployed people since the Labour Party got into power and there are credible warnings that another quarter of a million could lose their jobs in the next year if they don’t act.
“Many good businesses across Scotland and the UK are struggling because of the hostile business environment the UK government is creating.
“The National Insurance tax hike not only broke a Labour Party election pledge, but it has also meant fewer jobs, less investment and inevitable price rises as increased costs are passed onto consumers.
“I will press the UK government for real action to support businesses now while making the case that the past twenty years of Westminster failure shows why Scotland needs the full powers and fresh start of independence.”
