Graeme Dey joins political calls for more help from the Chancellor for struggling families

The SNP and Scottish Government have said that Chancellor Rishi Sunak has not delivered the support and help that families and businesses need at this time.

Responding to the Spring Statement, the Scottish Government’s Finance Secretary, Kate Forbes, said that the Chancellor had failed to provide “lifeline support” to help thousands of worried households facing poverty as a result of soaring energy bills and a cost of living crisis.

She highlighted the further £10 million that her own government is providing to continue its Fuel Insecurity Fund into 2022-23, which supports people struggling with their energy bills.

Commenting, Mr Dey said: “This Spring Statement by the Chancellor was a huge disappointment, and will sadly come as a major blow to struggling families in Angus and across Scotland.

“Rishi Sunak could have announced measures to help families put food on the table, stopped the national insurance hike, reduced energy bills and uprated benefits.

“He chose not to do anything of these things.

“While the Scottish Government is doing and will continue to all it can within its powers to support low-income households through this cost-of-living crisis, it is deeply regrettable that this commitment is not nearly matched at the UK level.”