MORAY MP SAYS QUEEN'S SPEECH IS A "WASTED OPPORTUNITY"

SNP MP for Moray Angus Robertson has described the Tory programme for government laid out in the Queen’s Speech as a wasted opportunity with little to be welcomed for Moray and Scotland.

The local MP says that with so much to be done to boost economic growth and create a fairer society, the UK Government’s legislative plans are weak, and will be seen as a completely wasted opportunity.

Mr Robertson has set out the SNP’s alternative proposals, which he says are the issues the SNP will continue to press the UK Government on and seek to get broad support for.

Angus Robertson MP said:

''The reality of the UK Government’s programme set out in the Queen’s speech is that this is - as predicted - a wasted opportunity for progressive action on pensions, social security and the economy.

''Whilst there are some measures to be welcomed, such as the likely delivery of a universal service obligation on broadband, which mirrors the SNP’s commitment that made in our recent Scottish Parliament Campaign Manifesto, this Queen’s Speech delivers nothing on pension reform for the many women who have been campaigning hard, on the simplification of the tax system, on social security, or on major action on the economy to boost exports and productivity.

“The economic figures for the UK are not good enough, yet the Tory Government continues on the same path of austerity and lack of investment to get the economy on the right track and support those who need it most.

“The SNP has published its own alternative legislative agenda, including a call for an emergency summer budget to implement a 0.5% increase in public spending and to introduce measures to boost productivity, innovation, trade and exports, while halting austerity cuts to public services and the vulnerable.

“We believe there should be a Fair Tax Bill to clamp down on tax avoidance and evasion, an Energy Security and Investment Bill to support renewables and the UK's wider energy sector, and progressive measures on work and pensions.

“We also need 'long-overdue' radical democratic reforms of parliament and the electoral system, and a Home Rule Bill to provide the meaningful devolution to Scotland that current and former Westminster party leaders promised the Scottish people during the independence referendum.

“On justice and home affairs we are calling for bills to protect and extend equality and human rights protections, to lift the barriers that prevent people accessing justice, and a more balanced, sensible and evidence-based approach to migration that maximises the benefits to the economy and that treats migrants with respect, while calling for a strategy to deal with local challenges and pressures.

“Finally and importantly, on defence and foreign affairs the party calls for a more ethical approach, with proposed bills to regulate the arms trade and require the consent of the Scottish Parliament to host Trident nuclear weapons in Scotland.”

“This is the platform I was elected by the people of Moray on and it is the message the SNP will continue to press with the UK Government in this Westminster parliamentary term.”