Local MSP Maree Todd, SNP has criticised the UK Government for failing the people in the Highlands and Islands following this year’s UK Budget announcement.

Maree Todd said:

“This Tory Budget falls a long way short of delivering for the people of Scotland.

“Working people will be £1,600 worse off thanks to the Tories mishandling of Brexit, and the changes in this year’s Budget do nothing to alleviate the untold damage this will do.

“Instead of halting Universal Credit, this budget tinkers round the edges – stumping up some extra money but not actually addressing the fundamental flaws of the system.

“The devastating impact of Universal Credit in the region I represent has been well documented. There is no doubt that the Tories cruel ideology is pushing more families into poverty. The Tories dogged reluctance to address the real problems of Universal Credit gives the impression that those punishing flaws are integral to the design.

“This comes on the same day as a tax giveaway for high earners while the National living wage is still below real living wage.

“It is clear that the Tories stand for generosity for the rich, not so much for the working poor.

“This Tory budget is about preserving privilege, not making work pay.

“The SNP will not support Tory tax cuts for the richest at the expense of the poor. This budget has exposed in stark terms the democratic deficit of the UK, and why we need full powers over Scotland’s finances to grow our economy and build a fairer country.”