Labour must tax the super wealthy rather than continuing Tory cuts
Labour must tax the super wealthy rather than continuing with the same cuts to essential public services as the Tories, says the Scottish Greens’ finance spokesperson Ross Greer.
In his first economic speech as Prime Minister, Keir Starmer made clear that he will resume where the Tories left off, with more pain for people who have already suffered from 14 years of Tory government.
Speaking from the Rose Garden at 10 Downing Street, Starmer told the public to expect a “painful” budget in October and claimed that the country must “accept short-term pain for long-term good.”
Despite promising ‘change’ in the General Election, Labour have since cut the Winter Fuel Payment for older people, continued to provide support for Israel’s genocidal government, and voted to keep the cruel two-child benefit cap.
Scottish Greens Finance spokesperson Ross Greer MSP said:
“Only two months ago Keir Starmer was travelling the country promising change. Labour insisted there would be no austerity under their government, but within a few weeks they’ve already made clear that they will continue the Tories’ failed policy of cutting budgets for essential public services.
“Theirs was probably the most dishonest election campaign in modern history, with Starmer showing a disregard for the truth that would make Boris Johnson blush.
“Inflicting poverty is a political choice. Starmer and his colleagues have chosen to continue the suffering of thousands of families across the UK by keeping the cruel two-child benefit cap, slashing eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment and preparing sweeping budget cuts across vital services.
“It doesn’t need to be this way. There is more than enough money in the UK to ensure that everyone can live above the poverty line, but far too much of that wealth is in the hands of a tiny number of obscenely rich people and corporations. Keir Starmer could change that by adopting the Greens’ proposed Wealth Tax on the richest 1%, raising at least £70 billion. Instead he has chosen to protect the super-wealthy and cut the public services the rest of us rely on.
“Contrast that with the progressive income tax system in Scotland delivered by the Scottish Greens. By having those on the higher incomes pay a bit more, we have delivered free bus travel for everyone under 22, more than doubled the groundbreaking Scottish Child Payment, scrapped school meal debt and more. We’ve done this with a fraction of the power Keir Starmer has, so what is his excuse?”