Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes MSP, has warned of the “acute damage done to Scotland’s Highlands by a Westminster imposed Brexit” ahead of launching of the SNP’s Highlands Manifesto, saying that only the SNP is standing up for highland communities.
The manifesto emphasises the damage of Brexit with the loss of freedom of movement, Erasmus+ and EU funding; over a decade of Westminster cuts decimating Scotland’s public services and a cost of living crisis which has sent energy bills and food prices soaring.
This comes as the Institute for Fiscal Studies backed the SNP’s calculation that Brexit has resulted in a loss of £30 billion of revenues to the public purse compared to rejoining the EU – which both the Tories and Labour Party have categorically ruled out while at the same time committing to £18 billion of cuts to public services.
Meanwhile, leading economists have warned that Sir Keir Starmer’s plans for economic growth are ‘doomed’ unless a Labour government rejoins the EU single market – which the SNP has consistently called for.
Commenting, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:
“Today’s manifesto launch demonstrates the SNP’s commitment to Highland communities at this election.
“The devastating truth for too many in the Highlands is that their needs, priorities and views have been ignored by a Westminster establishment that isn’t working for Scotland, and who’s only offer is more of the same with broken, Brexit Britain.
“Taking the last 14 years alone, the Highlands have endured brutal spending cuts, devastating Brexit impacts and a cost of living crisis, all of which have hit Highland households and businesses particularly hard.
“That’s why the SNP is calling for the reversal of these cuts, rejoining the EU and proper support for households and businesses through a Highland energy rebate and targeted VAT cuts.
“Instead, both the Labour Party and the Tories are stubbornly backing Brexit, £18 billion pounds of cuts to our public services and damaging policies that are hostile to immigration while leaving the door open to NHS privatisation.
“Only the SNP is standing up for Scotland’s Highlands, and on July 4th a vote for our brilliant SNP candidates is a vote for a better, independent future; made in Scotland, for Scotland.”
