SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO QUEENS SPEECH
Written by author on June 4, 2014
Minister for Parliamentary Business Joe FitzPatrick has commented on today’s Queen’s Speech which outlines the UK Government’s legislative programme for 2014/15.
Mr FitzPatrick said:
“This final Queen’s Speech, ahead of the referendum, underlines the growing divergence between the path of the UK Government and that of Scotland. Our focus is rightly on measures to improve childcare for every family, boost jobs and businesses and implement a fairer welfare system for everyone in Scotland.
“Once again, we are seeing UK Government policies that are skewed to help those that are better off, leaving the poorest families struggling to make ends meet. Westminster’s proposal on childcare is designed to save the best-off families up to £2,000 a year; this is in stark contrast with our universal plans under independence, which would deliver 1,140 hours of funded childcare for every family with a pre-school child aged one to five in Scotland, saving families up to £4,600 per child, per annum.
“The UK’s plan will save wealthier families the most since they currently spend the most on childcare and will be more likely to receive the maximum rebate possible under the scheme. Whereas our priority is to help workless households and those working families most struggling to make ends meet, to reach those most economically disadvantaged and provide routes out of poverty.
“We are acting now to deliver more free childcare for all three and four year olds and extend provision to vulnerable two-year olds from August this year – giving parents additional support when they are looking for employment and maintaining that support when they are successful.
“This Queen’s Speech shows the very clear contrasting position between our two governments and once again sets us apart on the values of fairness, equality and building a better society for everyone who lives and works here.
“Her Majesty’s Scottish Government will continue to make the case for an independent Scotland, with Her Majesty as head of state. With the full powers of independence we can deliver real gains for families, businesses and those who are most in need of transformational policies that can improve people’s lives.
“Scotland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, more prosperous per head than France, Japan or the UK – but for too many people in Scotland it doesn’t feel that way, and we need the powers of independence to help build a fairer society.
“Our commitment to building a fairer and wealthier country can only be achieved with full powers over tax and spending. With independence we will abolish the Bedroom Tax and halt further rollout of Universal Credit and the Personal Independence Payment to create a fairer welfare system.
“And for the two bills which require Scottish Parliament approval, the Scottish Government will table Legislative Consent Motions for the parliament to decide upon. It will then be for the Scottish Parliament to determine matters on the basis of its democratic mandate.”
