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Thursday, February 13, 2025

Labour Warned Against Taking The Axe to Public Services

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The SNP has issued a stark warning to the Labour Party, cautioning against potential public service cuts following reports of impending austerity measures.

According to Bloomberg, the UK Treasury has instructed government departments to prepare for real-terms budget reductions ahead of the June spending review.

The SNP claims this move would constitute “yet another broken promise” and a “total betrayal” of Labour’s election commitments.

During last year’s UK general election, Labour repeatedly denied intentions to impose austerity cuts, with Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar emphatically declaring, “Read my lips: no austerity under Labour.”

However, warnings about the UK’s economic health are mounting, driven by soaring borrowing costs, stagnant growth, and rising unemployment.

SNP Economy spokesperson Dave Doogan MP criticised Labour’s fiscal approach, stating:

“The Labour Party must not take the axe to public services by imposing austerity 2.0 at the spending review, which would mean less money available for the NHS, schools, and other vital services in Scotland.”

He added:

“To do so would amount to yet another broken promise and a total betrayal of what the Labour Party told voters at the election.”

Doogan also highlighted recent Labour policies that have sparked discontent, including the removal of winter fuel payments from around 900,000 Scottish pensioners, the denial of compensation for WASPI women, and welfare cuts like the two-child benefit cap, which he claims have driven thousands of Scottish children into poverty.

“Ordinary families must not pay the price for the Labour Party’s failure on the economy,” Doogan asserted, citing stagnant growth, rising unemployment, and escalating borrowing costs as key indicators of economic mismanagement.

He criticised Labour’s budget strategy, the National Insurance tax hike, and the decision to remain outside the EU single market and customs union, which he argues is costing the UK economy and public finances billions annually.

“Voters were promised change, but instead we’re getting more of the same old Westminster failure,” Doogan concluded.

The debate over fiscal policy and public service funding continues to intensify, with the SNP positioning itself as a defender of public services against what it describes as Labour’s austerity agenda.

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