Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has praised the Scottish Government’s progressive approach to its benefit and taxation policies, saying low-income families across the Highlands are benefitting as a direct result.
Speaking in the parliament, Ms Roddick highlighted a report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) which found that, amongst the poorest 30% of households in Scotland, those with children will see their incomes boosted by £2,000 a year on average as a result of Scotland’s taxation and benefit policies.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison, welcomed the report’s findings, stating that they illustrated the positive impact that the government’s progressive choices are having for low-income families.
Commenting, Ms Roddick said:
“These IFS findings set out clearly how this SNP Government and its policies are working to deliver for the people of Scotland.
“Low-income families across the Highlands will now be significantly better off as a direct result of this government’s fair and progressive approach to taxation and social security.
“These figures illustrate how game-changing benefits like the Scottish Child Payment, which is unique in the UK and has benefitted 7,455 children across the Highlands since it was introduced, are actively pulling children out of poverty and supporting families to get back on their feet.
“Here in Scotland, we are tackling poverty and inequality head-on, despite limited powers and a largely fixed budget, all the while tied to a Tory government down south which insists on pushing people further into hardship.
“Imagine how much more we could do outwith the constraints of the union.”
