Anas Sarwar urged to take stand against Labour assault on social security
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has been urged to take a stand against the £6 billion worth of social security cuts that are reportedly being planned by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Green leader Lorna Slater has urged Mr Sarwar to remember the promise he made in the lead up to the 2024 general election that there would be ‘no austerity under Labour.’
Ms Slater said:
“I was standing on the same debate stage as Anas Sarwar when he promised ‘no austerity under Labour.’ Surely this can’t be what he has in mind?
“Anas Sarwar represents some of the most deprived parts of Scotland and some of the people who will suffer the most. Did he know about these cuts or were they also news to him?
“We were told that Scottish Labour MPs would speak up for Scotland. So will they stand by the promises that their leader made to their communities and end austerity?
“Whether it is the assault on social security or the brutal cuts to international aid, it is the people with the least who will be hurt the most by a Labour government that is going even further than the Tories.
“If they opt for inaction and refuse to take a stand then the human consequences will be severe. People will be hurt and in some cases people could die because of these decisions.”
Ms Slater added:
“There is more than enough money in the UK to end these cuts and ensure that everyone can live well. But so much of it is in the hands of a small number of wealthy people.
“By introducing a wealth tax Labour could stop these cuts, remove the cruel two child benefit cap and build a fairer and greener society. The fact they are happy to punch down like this instead tells us a lot about their values.”