THE Labour Party has committed to slashing taxes for the super-rich, days after the shadow chancellor admitted she would continue to impose Tory cuts to public services.
In an interview with the Telegraph from Davos, Rachel Reeves admitted a Labour government would seek to cut taxes for those earning more than £100,000 a year.
Labour leader Keir Starmer previously said in an interview with the Observer that a Labour government would not tax the super-rich to redistribute wealth to the poorest.
In response, the SNP pledged they would oppose the plans, with economy spokesperson Drew Hendry saying it was “shameful” the Labour leader was willing to “give handouts to the richest in society”.
Commenting, Hendry said: “The SNP will strongly oppose Labour Party plans to slash taxes for the super-rich at the expense of working families across Scotland, who are already enduring a Westminster-made cost of living crisis.
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"It's clear the SNP's strong opposition to austerity cuts will be a major dividing line between the SNP and the Tory-Labour Westminster establishment at the next election
"It's shameful that Keir Starmer's party wants to give handouts to the richest in society, while admitting they will continue Tory spending cuts to public services and the incomes of ordinary working families who are struggling to pay their mortgages, rents and energy bills. It shows just how out of touch they are.”
Looking forward to the General Election, Hendry said the only way to guarantee “Scotland’s voice” would be heard was to vote for the SNP.
He added: “Unlike Keir Starmer, the SNP will always stand up for Scotland's values and Scotland's right to choose our own future with independence."
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Trade unions have also criticised the move, as Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham warned that working people would ultimately pay the price if money was not invested in the economy.
Graham said: “It is increasingly clear that state intervention and investment is needed if we are to achieve net zero, ensure our energy security and retain and grow industries vital to the national interest, such as steel.
“This is something governments in the European Union and US understand and are acting on. It is concerning that Rachel Reeves seems to have been moving further away from this position at a Davos event which already epitomises the problem of vast wealth not being distributed fairly or used to invest in the real economy.
“If she does not do the right thing it will be working people and the country’s future success that pay the price for it.”
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