RACHEL Reeves told her boss that altering the fiscal rules, which is what she now wants to do, would equal “fiddling the books”. But that was prior to the election. So much has unravelled regarding Labour’s claim to be the party of “change”, different to the previous administration, that we can all see the political cashmere sweater (thanks, Lord Alli) entirely in ruins.
One rule in particular relates to debt classification. Reeves reportedly wants it reclassified to allow for increased borrowing.
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It’s an interesting concept for millions of young adults whose lives are crushed under devastating student debt imposed by the last Labour government.
NUS figures show average debt per student at £44,000+ it’s been as high as £230,000 for one individual.
But there’s a more interesting conundrum for labour in Holyrood. The Scottish Government is not allowed to borrow in this way – a fact never mentioned by Scottish Labour or the London-centric media (unbiased as they undoubtedly believe themselves to be).
Scotland – treated with utter disdain by Starmer, whose disinterest is legend other than at election time – is given a budget and has to stick to it. Scottish Labour never acknowledge this millstone around Holyrood’s neck when delivering their Westminster pre-scripted sniping.
Reeve’s “fiddling the books” should be uncomfortable for Sarwar. But it won’t be. Anas Sarwar is not in the habit of either standing up to Starmer or for Scotland.
Amanda Baker
Edinburgh
SINCE this new Labour government was given the levers of power some three months ago, their branch office employees in Scotland have made it abundantly clear that the state of Scotland is entirely the fault of the incumbent Scottish Government. As an American might say, this is a “cockamamie” suggestion, but they continue with this type of argument at each and every opportunity.
So, when the Chancellor says we can’t afford a universal Winter Fuel Payment, removing it from those not on Pension Credit, what are the super-rich contributing to the reduction of national debt?
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That is surely the mark of the fair society that they have trumpeted is their goal?
Word is that these super-rich, aka high-net-wealth, individuals will leave and take their wealth with them, and HMRC is warning the Chancellor to ca’ canny and take our injection of the “trickle-down drug”, which obviously does not and has not worked or happened.
What is the reason for companies being headquartered in foreign tax havens? To pay less tax, of course, removing revenue from the UK economy. Often paid out to investors and senior staff as bonus payments that do not incur income tax until sold, then at a reduced tax rate.
The Office of Budget Responsibility and Institute of Fiscal Studies both report that the UK is below average among European countries in terms of tax revenue as a percentage of GDP.
Maybe we could do without these high-net-wealth individuals? Just saying.
Alistair Ballantyne
Angus
JUST in case Scotland was in any doubt, Holyrood has witnessed clear evidence of Scottish Labour MSPs following their counterparts in Westminster and not putting the interest of their constituents – especially their vulnerable constituents – first.
The Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) debate in Westminster called for Labour MPs to vote with the party whip and take the Winter Fuel Payment away from millions of vulnerable pensioners, and we all know the outcome.
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Now here in Holyrood a debate has been held by the SNP calling on the UK Government to U-turn on their actions and reinstate the WFP to pensioners.
Scottish Labour tried to thwart this debate by submitting an amendment, however this fell with support from only 16 of their 22 MSPs.
The Scottish Government’s call to the new Labour government to reinstate the WFP was supported in Holyrood by 99 votes to 14. It was an complete outrage that the 14 MSPs opposing the reinstatement of the WFP were all Labour MSPs.
Shame on them, it is breath-taking.
Just how can those MSPs sleep comfortably at night, knowing that their vulnerable constituents cannot afford to turn the heating on?
Catriona C Clark
Falkirk
IT appears that the Labour Party and Mr Sarwar are still attempting to deflect their decision to axe the universal aspect of the Winter Fuel Payment onto the Scottish Government as the benefit is now “devolved”.
What they always fail to mention is that the Scottish Government had not even begun to make payments as this winter was to be the first year. I guess most people and pensioners wouldn’t even have known this was happening.
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In any case, that the power is devolved without the funds from London to pay it with means the Scottish Government had no choice but not to proceed with the universal award as they want to. Something else that many are unaware of: when a Scottish budget is set, that is it! No changes to income tax during a year are allowed, thanks to the strict rules which our government has to work under.
When will Mr Sarwar and the Labour Party stop making excuses for their party’s Westminster decisions and accept responsibility, instead of trying to palm off the blame for this decision onto others?
Anne Meikle
Edinburgh
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