CON DEM BENEFIT SQUEEZE ‘THE WRONG CHOICE’

CUTS WILL HIT SCOTTISH HOUSEHOLDS HARD

Commenting on the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, that the Con Dem coalition are making plans to scale back some universal benefits including child benefit and winter fuel allowance, SNP Work and Pensions Spokeswoman, Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP, said the UK Government kept making the wrong choices.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

“The Con Dem coalition is piling the pain on Scottish households – hiking prices and squeezing incomes.

“Taking the axe to child benefit and winter fuel allowances at the same time as increasing VAT will hit families and old folk hard. While the frontbench of Tory millionaires might not miss these small but essential allowances, people across Scotland will.

“Choices must be made by the coalition government but they keep making the wrong ones. Instead of squeezing incomes for vulnerable households and trying to take milk away from young children, the coalition should scrap what we don’t need – starting with Trident.

“The SNP believe in the principle of universal benefits. That’s why we’re committed to ending prescription charges by April next year and guaranteeing free personal care for the elderly and concessionary travel for old folk.”