26th September 2022: A Week in Parliament

Budget

On Friday the new Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, announced his mini-budget. It came as no surprise that he did exactly the same as what every one of his Tory predecessors did before him, benefit the rich. I mean, where do you begin with them? Scrapping the cap on bankers’ bonuses, massive tax cuts for big business, scrapping the higher rate of tax and attacking the most vulnerable in our society…it is utterly depressing. The reality is that this budget goes nowhere near far enough to help low and middle-income families. It is a disgrace that the Tories are increasing energy prices again to an average of £2,500 instead of introducing a real freeze on bills. We are now in a position whereby many households will be paying double what they paid last year – that is unsustainable. This Tory government are taking from the poor to pay the rich. Normal people are footing the bill for the energy company bailout and the billions of tax cuts they are giving to high earners and big businesses. However, what should we expect from a Chancellor and Prime Minister that co-authored a book slating the work ethic of the British public? (Britannia Unchained).

 Energy “Cap”

It is important to note that the so-called cap is a maximum unit rate of energy. So the more energy you use, the more you pay. Liz Truss wrongly stated she has provided a “guarantee” that no one will pay more than £2,500. She is wrong and doesn’t even understand her own flagship policy - I worry that some people really will believe her about not paying more than £2,500, and then they get an even nastier shock when bills come in. So, remember these figures are based on average household usage, which of course means average use in England, whereas in Scotland we generally have to use more energy.

 Mark Fullbrook

If you would like further personification of what this Tory government stands for then look no further than the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s case into alleged bribery in Puerto Rico. The FBI has interviewed No.10’s Chief of Staff, Mark Fullbrook, over work he did for a banker accused of bribery. They are looking into claims that Julio Herrera Velutini, a Tory donor, made a deal with the former governor of Puerto Rico, Wanda Vázquez Garced, to get re-elected if she dismissed an investigation into a bank he owns in the US territory. It is alleged that Velutini paid more than £250,000 to political consultants to help Garced’s campaign. At the time, Fullbrook was working as a political consultant and he did research for Julio Herrera Velutini. Liz Truss says she is 100% behind Fullbrook - new Prime Minister more Tory sleaze.

 Scotland

In more positive news, it was great Scotland put together back-to-back wins in our Nations League group. A point will do against Ukraine in Krakow on Tuesday to win Group A – let’s hope Sir Steve Clarke can muster up more magic as he continues to progress the national team.