Cost of Living 2024-05-01
2024-05-01
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Scottish Parliament's research and the Fraser of Allander Institute indicate significant challenges with child poverty, net zero targets, and widening attainment gaps.
What recent discussions has had with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in Scotland? According to the Scottish Parliament's own research as well as the Fraser of Allander Institute, the Scottish Government's child poverty targets for 2023-24 are not set to be met. Given the dereliction of their net zero targets and the widening attainment gap, does the Minister agree that the Scottish Government have given up on governing and given up on the future of Scottish children?
This Government have demonstrated their commitment to supporting households across the United Kingdom and in Scotland with the cost of living, with a £108 billion package of support—one of the largest in Europe. Inflation is now at 3.2%, which is less than half its recent peak, and is expected to fall to its 2% target one year earlier than expected. I agree with the hon. Member: the SNP gave up governing in Scotland a long time ago thanks to its continued obsession with independence and referendums.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific discussions on cost of living measures and child poverty targets were not addressed directly
I Agree With The Hon. Member: The Snp Gave Up Governing In Scotland A Long Time Ago Thanks To Its Continued Obsession With Independence And Referendums.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Scottish Parliament's research as well as the Fraser of Allander Institute have highlighted that child poverty targets for 2023-24 are not expected to be met.
According to the Scottish Parliament's own research as well as the Fraser of Allander Institute, the Scottish Government's child poverty targets for 2023-24 are not set to be met. Given the dereliction of their net zero targets and the widening attainment gap, does the Minister agree that the Scottish Government have given up on governing and given up on the future of Scottish children?
The UK Government remain committed to supporting households across Scotland, demonstrated through our 6.7% increase in working age benefits, our maintaining the triple lock for 12 million pensioners and our cut to national insurance.
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Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked about child poverty targets and their failures, but was not addressed directly
The Uk Government Remain Committed To Supporting Households Across Scotland
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Scots are not better off after a year under the current government, with rising child poverty, falling life expectancy, longer NHS waiting lists, more drug deaths, and higher homelessness. Economic growth has stagnated.
After Humza Yousaf's term in office, nobody in Scotland is better off; this coupled with a Prime Minister clinging on to power. Child poverty is up. Life expectancy is falling. NHS waiting lists are up. Drug deaths are up. Homelessness is up. Economic growth has flatlined. Is it not the inescapable truth that Scots have been failed by two Governments for far too long? Does the Minister agree that what Scotland needs now is to be rid of both these distracted, incompetent and hopelessly out-of-touch Governments?
I certainly agree that the SNP Government have not been focused on the day job. They have been neglecting Scotland's schools, NHS and transport network. They have not been getting on with the day job, but the harsh reality is that whoever is elected to replace Humza Yousaf as First Minister will still have the same obsession with independence and referendums.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific failures in various areas were not addressed directly
They Have Been Neglecting Scotland'S Schools, Nhs And Transport Network
Response accuracy