Gavin slams Tory rejection of Tax Credits devolution
Gavin Newlands, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire, has criticised the UK Government tonight after the Tories used their slender majority to vote down amendments to the Scotland Bill that would devolve in full working and child tax credits to the Scottish Parliament in order to protect Scots from Tory tax credit cuts.
The amendment to the Scotland Bill would have enabled the Scottish Parliament to set its own tax credit system – including eligibility, thresholds and tapers – which would have allowed the Scottish Government to determine level of tax credits in Scotland. However, the UK Government refused to include the amendment.
Speaking after the debate in the House of Commons, Gavin Newlands MP said:
“By voting down another amendment to the Scotland Bill, that was tabled and supported by Scotland’s MPs to devolve more powers to Scotland and protect our families from Tory tax credit cuts, the UK Government have shown complete and utter contempt for the people of Scotland yet again.
“The un-amended Scotland Bill has devastating consequences for families across Renfrewshire and throughout Scotland as it ties the hands of our parliament and government in Scotland – meaning that tax credit cuts cannot be revered and there are no powers to reimburse the families who stand to lose thousands of pounds after the Tories scrap their eligibility entirely.
“5,000 children and 3,000 families in my constituency alone stand to lose an average of £1,000 from the Tories’ plans to cut tax credits – they simply cannot afford the ignorance of this out-of-touch Tory government.
“Renfrewshire, and Scotland, gave the Tories a vote of no confidence at the last election – the UK Government does not have a mandate in Scotland to pursue these changes. Indeed, David Cameron said on live TV that a majority Conservative government wouldn't cut tax credits – it is utter shambolic.”
