FMQs: Nicola Sturgeon brands Rishi Sunak's Spring Statement impact on benefits 'disgusting and indefensible'

By Elsa Maishman
Published 24th Mar 2022, 12:49 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2022, 14:40 BST
Comment
Nicola Sturgeon has branded the impact of Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement on those on the lowest incomes “disgusting and indefensible”.

The First Minister quoted analysis from social change charity Joseph Rountree Foundation (JRF), which estimated 600,000 people in the UK will be pulled into poverty as a result of the increase in National Insurance and the failure to increase benefits in line with inflation.

According to JRF, families in poverty will be £446 worse off in the next financial year compared to if benefits had been increased in line with current inflation levels.

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The Resolution Foundation, a living standards think-tank, said the statement could leave 1.3 million people on the verge of “absolute poverty”.

Asked at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday for her reaction to the statement, Ms Sturgeon recommended MSPs read the JRF analysis.

“The richest decile will see their incomes fall by less than 2 per cent, the poorest decile will see their incomes fall by almost 6 per cent,” she said.

“That is principally down to the failure to properly uprate benefits, and given that the Chancellor had access to more money, the decision not to do that is disgusting and completely indefensible. “

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged Ms Sturgeon to do more to support Scots struggling with cost of living.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar during First Minster's Questions at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh. Picture date: Thursday March 10, 2022.Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar during First Minster's Questions at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh. Picture date: Thursday March 10, 2022.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar during First Minster's Questions at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh. Picture date: Thursday March 10, 2022.

Mr Sarwar accused the First Minister of plans that are “simply not good enough”, adding Chancellor Rishi Sunak “must have been taking lessons on missed opportunities from this First Minister and her Government’s budget”.

Mr Sarwar called for a freeze to water charges and a £100 rebate to all households from the “cash mountain of £428 million” held by state-owned Scottish Water.

He also demanded a windfall tax on oil and gas giants, £400 support payment to struggling families and freeze on rail fares.

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