Home   News   Article

MP Richard Thomson says the threat of Conservative austerity to families in Aberdeenshire shows why independence is crucial


By Kirsty Brown

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

North-east MP Richard Thomson has said the austerity threat to families in his constituency, Gordon, shows why independence for Scotland is so crucial following stark warnings on the impact of real terms benefits cuts in the area.

5217 households in Gordon in receipt of means-tested benefits are set to be subjected to the largest real terms permanent benefits cut in a single year if Conservative plans to uprate benefits in line with earnings rather than inflation come to fruition, according to analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).

Contrasting the approach to the cost-of-living crisis between the SNP Scottish Government and Conservative UK Government MP Richard Thomson said Scots households were being punished under the Tories austerity agenda, with the Scottish Parliament’s efforts to tackle poverty being consistently undermined by Westminster.

Commenting, he said said: “The latest Westminster Conservative austerity threat facing 5217 households receiving means-tested benefits here in Gordon goes to show exactly why independence is so crucial as a means to escape the callous Conservatives once and for all.

“Amidst a brutal cost of living crisis local families and households are set to be hammered by the largest permanent benefits cut in a single year ever, imposed by a party seemingly focused alone on making their mega-rich friends even richer.

“Their approach could not be more at odds on this crisis with the Scottish Government, who’ve just uprated eight benefits as well as increasing the Scottish Child Payment and doubled the four annual bridging payments.

“Sadly however that is work that is being completely undermined by Westminster Conservatives who seem determined to consign millions more to extreme poverty and destitution.

“Households in Gordon can no longer afford the rising price of Westminster rule and must be able to escape with the full powers of independence.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More