The SNP has claimed Scottish families should not pay for what it describes as Labour Party failure after the UK Government confirmed it will spend more than £63 million following a legal reversal over council elections in England.
The Labour government has agreed to allow the elections to proceed after losing its legal battle and will also cover legal costs, including an estimated £100,000 payable to the Reform Party.
SNP Westminster Deputy Leader Pete Wishart MP said the development showed the “cost of chaos” under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Commenting, Pete Wishart MP said:
“It is shocking that the Labour Party is wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers’ cash on yet another botched policy and chaotic U-turn.
“Scottish families must not be forced to foot the bill for Labour Party failure.
“The cost of chaos is growing under Keir Starmer and more taxpayers’ money is being wasted every week on Labour Party U-turns.
“This is just the latest in a long line of humiliating U-turns from the Labour Party cuts to the winter fuel payment and disabled people, to the money wasted on Keir Starmer’s Brit Card, to the U-turns over the farm tax and workers’ rights.
“It’s complete chaos and it’s costing the taxpayer millions.
“Keir Starmer tried to block the elections because he knew he would get a pasting and now the Labour government is spending £63million of our money to fix the damage they caused, while handing £100,000 to Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.
“It’s a disgrace.
“It shows why it’s vital to vote SNP on 7th May to sack Keir Starmer, defend Scotland’s interests and secure a fresh start with independence.”
The row centres on the UK Government’s handling of council elections in England and the subsequent legal costs following a challenge to its position.
The latest dispute adds to ongoing political tensions between Westminster and Scottish representatives ahead of the next round of elections.
