By Lucy Ashton
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has accused Scotland’s nationalist parties of hammering households after SNP and Green MSPs voted down a series of measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis including plans to cut rail fares, increase disability benefits, protect councils from having to raise council tax and introduce an emergency nationwide home insulation programme.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “Scotland is facing the biggest fall in living standards since the fifties. The Scottish Government has an arsenal of tools to tackle this crisis but they are still sitting on the side-lines.
“Hiking rail fares and council tax will hammer households at the worst possible moment. In the case of the Green party this even means abandoning an explicit manifesto promise to discount fares by a third.
LibDem leader Alex Cole Hamilton and former leader Willie Rennie lambast the Nats.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out a clear plan of action to cut bills for you and your family. I am disappointed that nationalist MSPs just to vote against those proposals today.”
Alex Cole-Hamilton has highlighted how the party’s councillors will deliver for families worried sick about the cost of living crisis.
The party’s priorities at this election include:
- Raising and accelerating national targets in order to build thousands more homes for social rent.
- Extending free early learning and childcare to cut costs and give families the flexibility, holiday options and wraparound provision they need.
- Supporting children through breakfast clubs available to everyone who would benefit, removing hunger as a barrier to learning.
- Making sure every child has access to connected technology after many were left without devices during remote learning.
- The creation of a permanent nationwide Holiday Fun Fund and guaranteed access to life-changing activities outside of school.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “Food banks are a fantastic community initiative that help so many individuals and families in need. In the middle of the biggest fall in living standards since the fifties, it saddens me but does not surprise me how in demand their services are.
“Their work shows how important it is for people making decisions to be embedded in the communities they serve.
“Scottish Liberal Democrat councillors will get to grips with what really matters right now which is the cost of living crisis.
“Together we are determined to get extra help to families, including on housing and childcare. Those bills can be just as frightening as the gas bill.
“Every Scottish Liberal Democrat elected on May 5th will offer new hope for communities across Scotland.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Willie Rennie has blasted the Scottish Government after they voted down proposals which would have required responsible ministers to resign if the delays or costs of lifeline ferries spiral even further.
The delivery of the ferries is already running five years late and 2.5 times over budget.
Mr Rennie said: “I think ministers should be out of office already for the delays, the secrecy and the cost but the First Minister thinks it’s not enough.
“Boris Johnson is refusing to resign no matter how many partygate fines he gets but I didn’t think the moral backbone of Boris Johnson was the gold standard which the SNP aspired to.
“These ferries are already four years late and 2.5 times over budget. Islanders have been without lifeline services and the reputation of a shipyard with a proud heritage has been trashed by terrible leadership.
“Now the SNP and Greens have voted that even if the ferries are delayed further or costs increase again, still no one will take responsibility.
“Taxpayers and islanders will take note of the Scottish Government’s behaviour ahead of the elections on 5th May.”