MORE ACTION TO MITIGATE BEDROOM TAX, BUT ONLY A YES VOTE CAN SCRAP IT

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BUDGET WILL BOOST ECONOMY AND SUPPORT HOUSEHOLDS WITH COST OF LIVING

The passage of the SNP Government’s budget in the Scottish Parliament
today will boost Scotland’s economy, help with the cost of living and
deliver vital action to mitigate Westminster’s disastrous Bedroom Tax.

With a majority of parliament endorsing additional funds to help combat
the Bedroom Tax SNP MSP Joan McAlpine said it showed Scotland should
have the powers to scrap the Bedroom Tax.

Alongside targeting Westminster welfare cuts the budget will continue
the small business bonus, protect free education, entitle primary one to
three pupils to free school meals saving at least £330 per eligible
child; extend childcare provision to 600 hours for three and four year
olds and for vulnerable two year olds, saving around £700 a year; and
continue the Council Tax freeze that will have saved households £1,200
on average by the end of this parliament.

Investment in infrastructure in Scotland will be supported to the tune
of over £8 billion over the next two years, creating over 50,000 full
time equivalent jobs.

Commenting, SNP MSP Joan McAlpine said:

“Today’s budget is a budget to boost our economy and support households
with the rising cost of living.

“Delivering free school meals, extending childcare and protecting the
Council Tax freeze will save hundreds of pounds for households across
Scotland.

“That is vital action to help people during difficult times and will be
warmly welcomed by people across Scotland. What is also particularly
welcome is that even more action is being taken to help people affected
by Westminster’s Bedroom Tax.

“The money has been put in place to mitigate the Bedroom Tax and the
only thing standing in the way of immediate action is Westminster.

“Of course far better than attempting to mitigate the deeply unfair
Bedroom Tax would simply be to abolish it altogether.

“Only a Yes vote in September will give the Scottish Parliament that
right and ensure that Scotland’s welfare system reflects the priorities
of people in Scotland rather than the Westminster Treasury.”