Labour has 10 days to radically rethink their cruel cuts agenda, warns Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman.
The party’s spokesperson for social security, Ms Chapman is urging Labour to use the Spring statement, expected on March 26th, to halt dangerous social security reforms that could unleash even more harm than the Tories.
Ms Chapman called for Labour to turn their attention towards the super rich by introducing a wealth tax instead of cutting vital life-lines and forcing disabled people into life-threatening situations.
Ms Chapman said:
“The reported budget cuts will only push the most vulnerable people in our society further into poverty and harm.
“From cutting winter fuel payments and expecting pensioners to freeze or deal with it, to refusing to remove the punitive two-child cap that unfairly targets larger families, Labour has chosen to continue the most punishing Tory policies while preparing some of the most callous cuts the UK has ever seen.
“These latest cuts represent a clear and direct attack on the lives of disabled people.
“They are not inevitable.
“They are a choice.
“Labour must listen to the disabled campaign groups and experts who are warning about the devastating impact these cuts will have.
“I speak regularly with disabled people and activists who are terrified that ending this vital support will result in deaths.
“Is that what Labour meant when they promised change?
“Is it the legacy that Keir Starmer wants?
“Each of us has intrinsic worth as human beings that is not tied to our personal economic input.
“It sets a harmful and dangerous tone when we say that only those who are able to work are worth helping.
“And we know that many people in work are also struggling to cope.
“With so many people experiencing fear and anxiety, and with the emergence of the far right, the Spring statement is one of the most important in living memory.
“It is time for Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves to stop pandering to Tory austerity.
“They must bring in a wealth tax that collects a fair and justified share from the richest people who are never punished just for existing in the way that the poorest people are.
“Labour must make good on the promise it made in opposition, start taxing the rich properly and stop turning its back on vulnerable people.”
