PM's refusal to rule out benefit cuts shows Tory cruelty
The Scottish Greens have condemned the Prime Minister's refusal to rule-out real terms cuts to Universal Credit and other benefits. This follows an interview that she did with the BBC.
The Scottish Greens social security spokesperson, Maggie Chapman said:
"In the last two weeks the Tories have tanked the pound, hammered an already broken housing market and forced a £65 billion intervention by the Bank of England.
"This is a mess they have created. By making a real terms cut to benefits they will be plunging hundreds of thousands of people into poverty. This comes from the same cruel mindset that was responsible for the bedroom tax, the rape clause and the brutal sanctions regime.
"Millions of people are facing destitution and uncertainty, but the Tories are doubling down on the same cruel policies that have already done so much damage.
"To inflict cuts on many of the most vulnerable people is appalling at any time, but to do it in order to fund tax breaks for some of the world's wealthiest corporations is contemptible. It will only fuel the social emergency that is being inflicted.
"This year, with Scottish Greens in Government, we raised the benefits that we have control over in-line with inflation and mitigated the cruel benefit cap. We have complemented this by doubling the Scottish Child Payment and introducing free bus travel for young people, and we’ll introduce emergency legislation for a rent freeze for tenants this week.
“These vital changes stand in stark contrast to the warped priorities and toxic cuts being done by Downing Street.”