Writing in his regular column for the Record, Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra says the SNP has an opportunity at the Budget next month to provide more support for hard-pressed families this winter.
Michael Marra has pledged to work constructively with the Scottish Government as it negotiates next year’s Budget (Image: Callum Moffat / Daily Record)
The cost of living crisis is causing significant financial hardship for households in Scotland and across the UK – and as a Labour Party, it is our duty to respond to that challenge.
We proudly stand up for workers’ rights, solidarity, improving living standards, and ensuring that everyone has an equal chance to get ahead in life.
That is why I was pleased to hear my friend and colleague, the Chancellor John Healey, set out his first Budget at the end of last month. It is a distinctly Labour Budget – one that will provide millions of people across the country with breathing space for today and hope for the future.
I was clear that the banks should be made to pay their fair share, to help put money back into the pockets of working people.
I was delighted that the Chancellor agreed, and increased the tax on the profits of big banks from three per cent to six per cent. Not only is it right that those who are the most well-off contribute to society, that increase will raise £1.5 billion for the Treasury.
What that means is that the UK Government can put money back towards supporting those people who need it most.
And that is being demonstrated through action. The UK Government is providing those living in council tax bands A to D in England with a £100 energy bill payment – with Barnett consequentials as a result which means we can do the same in Scotland.
I am pleased that the Scottish Government has confirmed it will replicate this here, by using that money to take £100 off people’s energy bills.
However, while I welcome the action taken by the UK Government and by the Scottish Government, I want us to go further.
That is why today I am calling on the Scottish Government to guarantee at least £200 worth of support for the poorest households in Scotland.
We can do that through a mix of identifying households on Council Tax Reduction, as well as by increasing the Winter Heating Payment.
Combined with the Warm Homes Discount, that is £350 worth of support for Scotland’s poorest households this winter.
In less than a month, the Scottish Government will present its Budget at Holyrood. I would urge the Finance Secretary Jenny Gilruth to take that opportunity to provide that support for hard-pressed families.
When I became leader of the Scottish Labour Party, I said I would seek to work constructively across the political divide on issues that matter most to the people of Scotland – and I meant it.
I will engage in talks with the SNP where we can seek agreement on the action that is badly needed to support those who are struggling in our country.
We need radical change, we need radical action, and we need a radically different approach to how we do politics.
So, I say to the Finance Secretary today – work with me, consider these proposals, and let us help those who need it most across Scotland.
Pupils and teachers are being failed by our education system
Scotland was once world-renowned for the country’s education system.
The reality now is that our international performance is declining, with children and parents being failed by ministers failing to tackle the problem.
Scottish Labour analysis shows that our 15-year-olds are now over a year behind their peers in England in maths, while we still have fundamental challenges in addressing falling absence rates and violence in classrooms.
I have been clear that education is a top priority for me as Scottish Labour leader. But to build a new education system that works for Scotland, we must first understand what the underlying issues are.
This week, we will call on MSPs to recognise that standards have fallen and that there must be improvement.
We have called for a reintroduction of the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy, as well as standardised reporting across all of Scotland’s local authorities.
That would allow us to guarantee there is consistent reporting on absences, behaviour, and additional support needs, so we can ensure that our education system is getting it right for every child.
They are the future of our country, and we owe it to their generation to get this right.
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