Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra has pledged to work constructively with the Scottish Government as it prepares next year's Budget, calling for at least £200 worth of support for Scotland's poorest households this winter.
Writing in his regular column for the Record, Marra said the SNP has an opportunity at the Budget next month to provide more support for hard-pressed families. He highlighted the cost of living crisis as a cause of significant financial hardship for households in Scotland and across the UK, stating that as a Labour Party, it is a duty to respond to that challenge.
Marra welcomed the first Budget set out by Chancellor John Healey at the end of last month, describing it as a distinctly Labour Budget that will provide millions of people across the country with breathing space for today and hope for the future. He noted that he had been clear that banks should be made to pay their fair share, and that the Chancellor agreed, increasing the tax on the profits of big banks from three per cent to six per cent. That increase is expected to raise £1.5 billion for the Treasury.
UK Government energy bill support
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 the same can be done in Scotland. Marra said he is pleased that the Scottish Government has confirmed it will replicate this here, using that money to take £100 off people's energy bills.
However, while welcoming the action taken by both governments, Marra said he wants to go further. He is calling on the Scottish Government to guarantee at least £200 worth of support for the poorest households in Scotland, through a mix of identifying households on Council Tax Reduction and increasing the Winter Heating Payment. Combined with the Warm Homes Discount, that would be £350 worth of support for Scotland's poorest households this winter.
Call for Budget action and cross-party talks
In less than a month, the Scottish Government will present its Budget at Holyrood. Marra urged Finance Secretary Jenny Gilruth to take that opportunity to provide support for hard-pressed families. He said he will engage in talks with the SNP where agreement can be sought on the action needed to support those struggling in the country.
Marra said he meant his earlier pledge to work constructively across the political divide on issues that matter most to the people of Scotland, adding that radical change, radical action, and a radically different approach to politics are needed. He directly addressed the Finance Secretary, saying: "Work with me, consider these proposals, and let us help those who need it most across Scotland."
Education system concerns
Marra also raised concerns about Scotland's education system, stating that the country was once world-renowned for it, but that international performance is now declining. Scottish Labour analysis shows that 15-year-olds are now over a year behind their peers in England in maths, while there are still fundamental challenges in addressing falling absence rates and violence in classrooms.
He said education is a top priority for him as Scottish Labour leader, but that to build a new education system that works for Scotland, the underlying issues must first be understood. This week, the party will call on MSPs to recognise that standards have fallen and that there must be improvement. They 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, to guarantee consistent reporting on absences, behaviour, and additional support needs.
