Cost of Living Crisis

Along with my SNP colleagues, I have continued to raise these issues using all the parliamentary tools at my disposal. I’ve written multiple letters to the Chancellor, submitted written parliamentary questions to the relevant ministers, asked oral questions in the Commons, met with local organisations and campaign groups, presented Bills in Parliament and held debates in Westminster Hall on the matter. The frustrating thing is that neither the current Tory Government, nor the Labour Party seem to want to engage meaningfully on this matter and fail to support my calls. 

It’s worth pointing out that my calls are completely uncontroversial and, more importantly, doable. For example, I have continually made the case to reverse the £20 per week cut to Universal Credit. This would make a huge difference to those currently out of work and those on the lowest paid jobs too. 

The Scottish Government, through the limited powers it does have, has mitigated some of the effects of the Cost of Living Crisis through initiatives such as the Scottish Child Payment, free or discounted public transport, free university education, free prescriptions and so on. But with both of the Westminster parties unable or unwilling to help those in need, it’s clear that Independence is the only way to sort this issue for good.