Fuming Nicola Sturgeon blasts 'Brexit recklessness' for predicted increase in borrowing
NICOLA STURGEON took aim at the Chancellor and blamed “Brexit recklessness” for a forecasted increased in borrowing.
Sturgeon slams Autumn Statement and 'Brexit recklessness'
Addressing yesterday’s Autumn Statement during First Minister’s Questions, the Scottish leader said Philip Hammond’s announcement “took money from the poorest”.
The institute for Fiscal Studies has said workers face earning less in real wages in 2021 than they did in 2008.
Mr Hammond has repeatedly said in defence of his budget that he is preparing for a “rainy day”.
Speaking in Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon said: “We saw the Universal Credit situation remain largely the unchanged. The Autumn budget yesterday was a case of taking money away from the poorest to give it to the richest in our society.
“I think it was us seeing the Tories showing their true colours.”
Mrs Sturgeon insisted her government would not “pass on a massive tax cut" to the highest earners in Scotland when it reveals its own budget on December 15.
She said: “We have already said we will not pass on a massive tax cut to the 10 per cent top income earners in the country.
“Because at a time when our budget is being hammered by the Tories, when public services are being hammered, when we’re seeing £100billion of additional borrowing because of because of their Brexit recklessness, this is a time to protect our public services and to protect the vulnerable and that’s what this government will do.”
She blasted the announcement once more despite being given £800million to spend on improving the country’s infrastructure.
She said: “Our budget by the end of this decade will be 9.2 per cent in real terms lower than it was when the Tories took office.
"Effectively [the] £800m yesterday meant that instead of our budget, by the end of this decade being £3.3bn lower than when the Tories took office. It will be £2.9bn lower – and the Tories want us to be thankful for that?”
Nicola Sturgeon discusses a 'frustrating' Brexit approach
Scottish Green Party MSP Patrick Harvie fired back following Nicola Sturgeon’s damning attack on the Autumn Statement.
He said: “I do hope that we can move away from the language of ‘passing on’ tax cuts from south of the border.
“The Chancellor down south doesn’t set tax rates and bands for Scotland. It is the Scottish government that will set them so there’s not a question about ‘passing on’.”
The comments come after the First Minister warned of a second Scottish independence referendum if the UK chooses to leave the single market during Brexit negotiations.