Scotland has been left to deal with the cost of living crisis by the Chancellor, according to Scottish Greens MSP Ariane Burgess.
At FMQs, the Highlands and Islands MSP raised yesterday’s Spring Statement by Rishi Sunak, which committed no action to help with benefits or the rising costs of food and energy bills.
It was a statement which ‘has abandoned many to the threat of destitution, not economic security’, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Speaking afterwards, Ariane Burgess said:
“Brexit and the volatile cost of oil and gas are playing a massive role in the cost of living crisis, and there was no recognition of this Tory legacy in the chancellor’s statement.
“What’s worse, there was nothing in his statement to help those struggling the most with these rising costs.
“With the Office of Budget Responsibility warning about the biggest annual fall in living standards since their records began, the Scottish Government is left to build on what we have already delivered to tackle the cost of living, like free bus travel for young people, free school meals for primary children and the doubling of the Scottish Child Payment.
“The Scottish Parliament does not exist to reign in the worst of Tory cruelty.
“It’s becoming increasingly clear that if we want a fairer system of taxation and social security that protects the most vulnerable people is to become a fairer, greener, independent Scotland.”
