Chancellor leaves households and distilleries hung out to dry

Liberal Democrat Scottish affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine has today criticised the UK Government’s budget for not doing enough to support households hit by the cost of living crisis as well as criticising the rise in whisky duties.

Christine Jardine said:

“This Budget shows the Conservative Party is completely out of touch.

“They had a chance to show they care about the cost-of-living crisis that’s hitting millions of Britain’s families and pensioners but they failed miserably.

“This was an opportunity to cut energy bills and give households a real helping hand. They could have borrowed Liberal Democrat plans to cut bills and insulate homes but instead we got more tinkering round the edges.”

On the whisky duty rise she added:

“This is terrible news for one of Scotland’s most iconic products.

“It seems the industry cannot catch a break. Energy bills have spiked, the SNP’s alcohol consultation threatened to close down their gift shops and now the Chancellor is whacking up tax. Distillers are being hung out to dry.

“I know that the Conservatives are desperate for ways to fill the economic black hole that their policies have created but additional taxes on Scotland’s national drink will not help our economy to grow.”

On the proposed expansion of childcare she said:

“It’s now almost half a decade since Jo Swinson made the case that the transition from maternity or paternity leave to funded childcare should be seamless.

“Extra money for some families will be a step in the right direction but there are big questions about the infrastructure and staffing needed for such an expansion. No wonder this policy won’t come into force for some time.

“Nevertheless, it’s clear that flexible childcare can have huge benefits for families so I hope that the Scottish Government will now move forward with plans to expand access too.”