The SNP has said that the contrast ‘couldn’t be clearer’ as independent Ireland continues to ‘prosper and progress while broken, Brexit Britain and its Prime Minister tells the public that ‘things can only get worse’.
SNP Westminster economy spokesperson, Dave Doogan MP, was speaking ahead of the Irish budget which is set to contain a €25 billion surplus, leading to a package of significant investment in Irish public services, citizen supports and future infrastructure. Â
The Irish budget is expected to include a massive cost of living package – including two double child benefit payments before Christmas, continued mortgage interest relief and a €1,000 renters tax credit, universal electricity credits to the value of €250, cuts to university fees and up to €1,000 winter fuel support for pensioners.
In comparison, Westminster austerity cuts are set to continue under the UK Labour Government – with the Labour Chancellor already making the political choice to remove the winter fuel allowance from 880,000 Scottish pensioners alongside cuts to vital public services.
SNP Westminster economy spokesperson Dave Doogan MP said:
“The contrast between these islands couldn’t be clearer.
“Ireland – an independent country in the European Union – continues to prosper and progress while broken, Brexit Britain and its Prime Minister tells the public that ‘things can only get worse’.
“In their budgets this month – Ireland has a €25 billion surplus, Brexit Britain has a £22 billion black hole – we will see a story of two states told through two budgets.
“That contrast comes at a massive cost for Scotland.
“While Ireland helps its citizens through the cost-of-living crisis and invests in its future, Westminster and the UK Labour Government has made the political choice to impose more austerity.
“That political choice results in a Labour Government keeping the cruel two child cap, removing the winter fuel payment from pensioners, and signing up to damaging cuts in vital public services.  Â
“All the while Westminster won’t even mention – never mind deal with – the biggest black hole in the UK economy that is Brexit.
“People in Scotland were promised change.
“Instead, we got Sir Keir ‘King of Freebies’ Starmer and Rachel ‘Queen of Austerity’ Reeves living the high life while imposing cuts on the rest of us.
“Ahead of the UK budget at the end of this month, I am urging the Chancellor to put the austerity axe down, reverse her cuts and deliver the investment needed to stimulate economic growth and improve public services.”
