UK budget: A drop in the ocean compared to the change needed
A response from Scottish Green finance spokesperson Ross Greer on the UK budget.
Mr Greer said:
“This timid budget is a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of change that is actually needed. Labour has under-promised and still somehow under-delivered.
“The failure to end the cruel two child cap or the Winter Fuel Payment cut will have dire consequences for vulnerable people and families across the UK. Children will continue to live in poverty and pensioners will die this winter, all entirely avoidably.
“The Chancellor could have targeted the super rich to bring in the funding needed to undo cruel Tory policies and drop Labour’s own cuts. Instead she has chosen to hike up bus fares in England and pour £3 billion into keeping a climate-busting fuel duty freeze.
“A responsible government would invest in cheaper public transport and walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure. The Scottish Greens did both of those during our time in government, delivering free bus travel for young people and removing peak rail fares. Labour have instead chosen to encourage even more car journeys while the climate crisis spirals out of control.
“There are a few important steps in the right direction in this budget, such as the increase in tax on private jets. The Scottish Greens have led calls for this and whilst it doesn’t go as far as we would like, it is progress on one of the most incredibly polluting forms of travel.
"What was missing was any confirmation from the Chancellor that she will take the necessary steps to finish the ten-year process of devolving Air Passenger Duty and allowing Scotland to make these decisions for ourselves.“There were also some deeply disappointing announcements. The social security section of the speech could have been lifted straight from the nastiest Tory conference speeches. Labour are continuing the Conservative tactic of punching down at vulnerable people when there is so much more money being lost through tax avoidance by the super-rich.”