Natalie Don MSP said:
“The Chancellor could have chosen to raise funds by making fairer choices such as putting a levy on share buy back schemes, scrapping non-dom tax status or even expand the windfall tax. Instead, he chose to protect the richest in society and let the rest of us to suffer under this Tory created Cost of Living Crisis.
“Yet again the Tories protect the well off and ignore those who are struggling to get by during the Tory created Cost of Living Crisis. More handouts for the rich include increasing the pensions annual tax-free allowance from £40,000 to £60,000 while the rest of us suffer from high energy bills, and now even food shortages due to Brexit and Tory economic incompetence.
“The SNP has been clear in demanding that energy bills should be cut – the Chancellor has the resources to do this, but instead bills will remain at their current exorbitant rate and the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme payments will be withdrawn – effectively resulting in energy payments rising.
“Energy prices are falling but still Scotland faces the highest energy charges in the developed world, due to Tory indifference on the impact this is having on households all across the country. Instead, the Chancellor is protecting the scandalous profits of energy companies and ignoring those who are struggling to heat their homes.
“I’m concerned by the comment regarding Universal Credit sanctions being applied more rigorously – the DWP is already heavy handed in dealing with those on benefits and it’s disturbing that they intend to enhance this approach rather than using the Social Security Scotland model of delivering social security with dignity, fairness and respect.
“The usual claims are made that the Scottish Government will receive more funding through Barnet Consequentials but as usual, we need to see the small print to find out what the reality behind these claims. Normally this figure never meets the UK Government’s claims. Let’s not forget that Scotland only gets back a percentage of the tax raised in Scotland, with Westminster holding onto a majority share of this funding.”
