The Tory government must deliver a full job protection scheme – not a halfway house that fails to prevent mass redundancies.
Following five months of pressure from the SNP, the Chancellor is expected to outline new measures to support the economy tomorrow.
Ian Blackford MP (pictured) said the U-turn must include the immediate devolution of financial powers to enable a strong recovery in Scotland.
The SNP Westminster Leader also called for a full extension to the furlough scheme, new investment to support the forgotten millions left out of previous financial support, and an £80billion fiscal stimulus to boost the economic recovery.
The latest Office For National Statistics (ONS) labour force survey revealed UK unemployment has risen to 4.1% and the number of workers in employment has fallen by almost 700,000 since March.
Separately, analysis from the Scottish Government shows extending the furlough scheme by eight months could save around 61,000 jobs in Scotland.
Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP said:
“The Tory government must deliver a full job protection scheme – not some halfway house that fails to prevent mass redundancies.
“Having refused to devolve financial powers, the responsibility is on the Chancellor to deliver a major package of investment that meets the unprecedented scale of the crisis we face.
“The SNP is calling for a full extension to the furlough scheme, financial support for the forgotten millions left behind, and an £80billion fiscal stimulus to boost the economy.
“The UK government must also immediately devolve the financial powers necessary to secure a strong recovery in Scotland.
“Without these powers the Scottish Parliament will be left unable to take the scale of action required to protect Scotland’s economy.
“Reports that the Chancellor is scrapping the UK budget are deeply worrying and put Scotland in an impossible position – threatening the Scottish Government’s ability to plan for its own budget.
“Scotland shouldn’t have to wait for Westminster to act.
“Thousands of people have already lost their jobs while Westminster has dithered.
“This crisis has shown that the only way to properly protect Scotland’s economy is with the full powers of an independent country.”
