Labour Won't Rule Out Pensions Cuts
Saturday 4 May 2013
Labour’s Deputy Leader Harriet Harman has highlighted another of the benefits of voting Yes in September 2014.
In an interview on BBC Radio this week she confirmed that Labour would be looking at cutting benefits for the elderly if elected to Westminster. Ms Harman said that Labour will review pensions,winter fuel allowances and the free bus pass.
Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP, SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson commented:
“In her interview on BBC Radio Harriet Harman was caught out. She admitted a Labour government would mean reductions in benefits for Scotland’s elderly. She said Labour would be reviewing the winter fuel allowance which helps pensioners in Scotland out of fuel poverty every year.
“Her comments confirm that whoever is in government at Westminster, their plan is to cut services and support that elderly people in Scotland have earned over many years. The only way to protect our older people from Westminster cuts is with a Yes vote in 2014, so that it is the people of Scotland who are making these decisions.”
“Coming off the back of Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont’s ‘Cuts Commission’ now busy planning repeals of hard-won universal benefits at Holyrood, we now know Labour’s plans will hit older people’s benefits in Scotland and across the UK.
“Labour North and South of the border have made it clear. They are quite happy to claw back benefits from older people to get them out of the economic hole they created. “
“One of the greatest benefits of independence is that a Scottish government would protect benefits in a way Westminster won’t. Voting Yes in September 2014 takes those threats away.”
“Her comments confirm that whoever is in government at Westminster, their plan is to cut services and support that elderly people in Scotland have earned over many years. The only way to protect our older people from Westminster cuts is with a Yes vote in 2014, so that it is the people of Scotland who are making these decisions.”
“Coming off the back of Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont’s ‘Cuts Commission’ now busy planning repeals of hard-won universal benefits at Holyrood, we now know Labour’s plans will hit older people’s benefits in Scotland and across the UK.
“Labour North and South of the border have made it clear. They are quite happy to claw back benefits from older people to get them out of the economic hole they created. “
“One of the greatest benefits of independence is that a Scottish government would protect benefits in a way Westminster won’t. Voting Yes in September 2014 takes those threats away.”
