The SNP has said Keir Starmer’s programme for government was a “missed opportunity” that “failed to deliver the change that people in Scotland were promised” – following the King’s Speech today.
Stephen Flynn MP said “people in Scotland voted for clear and substantial change at Westminster, and the Labour government was handed a huge mandate to deliver it, so it is bitterly disappointing that they have thrown this opportunity away”.
The SNP Westminster Leader pointed to key areas that were absent from the King’s Speech, including:
- No plan to eradicate child poverty – with no child poverty act to introduce statutory targets, no plan to match the SNP government’s Scottish Child Payment UK-wide, and no plan to reverse Tory welfare cuts including the bedroom tax and two child benefit cap – one of the biggest causes of child poverty in the UK.
- No plan to tackle the cost of living – with no plan to introduce a social tariff or reduce energy bills, no plan to help mortgage holders, renters or first time buyers, no plan to reduce inflated food prices, and no help for struggling families.
- No plan to boost NHS funding or end austerity cuts – with no plan to deliver the investment and support that public services need.
- No plan to reverse the damage of Brexit – with no plan to rejoin the EU single market or reintroduce freedom of movement – causing long-term damage to economic growth.
- No plan to properly invest in green energy – leaving Scotland without the substantial investment and powers needed to maximise economic growth, jobs, energy security and tackle the climate crisis.
- No plan to abolish the house of lords or deliver electoral reform – despite Labour promising to abolish the House of Lords at every election for more than a century.
- No plan to devolve powers to the Scottish Parliament – despite widespread support in Scotland for the devolution of cost of living powers, workers’ rights powers, welfare powers, migration powers, capital investment or borrowing powers.
- No justice for WASPI women or Scottish pensioners – with no legislation to lower the pension age or compensate WASPI women.
- No migration plan or powers for Scotland – to reverse the damage caused by Brexit.
- No plan to recognise the Palestinian State or end arm sales to Israel – despite the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn MP said:
“Keir Starmer has failed his first test in government.
“This timid legislative programme is a missed opportunity that failed to deliver the change that people in Scotland were promised.
“People in Scotland voted for clear and substantial change at Westminster, and the Labour government was handed a huge mandate to deliver it, so it’s bitterly disappointing that they have thrown that opportunity away.
“While some of the small measures announced are welcome, they fail to deal with the major challenges facing the UK.
“There was no plan to eradicate child poverty, no plan to tackle the cost of living and no plan to end Tory austerity and boost NHS funding.
“And with no plan to reverse the damage of Brexit or properly invest in green energy – Starmer is restricting the potential for strong growth in the economy, wages and living standards.
“For Scotland, there was no plan to deliver the maximum devolution that Labour promised during the independence referendum and, despite promising to abolish the House of Lords for more than a century, they are only planning to tinker around the edges.
“The SNP will work with the Labour government, wherever possible, to deliver the best outcomes for Scotland – but where that change isn’t forthcoming we will hold them to account.”
