By Lucy Ashton
Responding to the news that Scottish households are starting to receive a letter to inform them that they are eligible for the Government’s £150 Cost of Living Award, Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Willie Rennie has criticised the SNP for failing to provide enough help to those who need it the most.
To be eligible to receive the award, as of February 2022 people must either be living in a dwelling in a Council Tax valuation band, liable for Council Tax and receiving Council Tax Reduction/Second Adult Rebate or living in a dwelling for Council Tax with a valuation band A to D.
“As a first line of defence, the Finance Secretary should have targeted this support to those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
“The reality is that it will take a lot more than one £150 payment for families to weather the coming storm. That’s why Scottish Liberal Democrats have put forward proposals to cancel the SNP/Green rail fare rise, reverse council cuts, boost disability benefits and invest in insulation to cut the cost of heating bills. That’s just a few of the radical solutions necessary to shepherd Scotland through this crisis.”
Scottish Liberal Democrats, who have said they would be delighted to form a coalition government with Labour at Holyrood, are now calling on the SNP/Green Government to:
- Reverse the £250m cut to councils: The Scottish Government is receiving record levels of budget funding. That hasn’t stopped it handing down a £250m real-terms cut to councils which put pressure on them to raise council tax.
- Cancel the 3.8% rise in rail fares: The Scottish Government is taking over the running of Scotland’s railways. This isn’t the time to drive up the price of climate-friendly transport. Instead, an expansion of the railcard discount scheme would bring down costs and encourage more people to leave the car at home.
- Boost disability benefits: The SNP/Green Government copied the UK Government’s plan, leaving benefits lagging up to 4% below inflation this year.
- Invest in insulation: Household budgets need protection from soaring energy prices. Insulating homes and delivering green upgrades will bring down costs and emissions. It is a win-win.
- Pay-up for fire alarms: Many households can’t afford hundreds of pounds right now. They require extra help to make the changes the Scottish Government is demanding.
Liberal Democrats have also called for Scrapping the National insurance tax hike and the freezing of the Income Tax thresholds and have called for cheaper broadband to be made available.
Top picture: Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Willie Rennie (left) knows his onions when it comes to paying the bills.