TORIES PLANS DRIVING SCOTLAND TOWARDS THE CLIFF-EDGE
CHANCELLOR’S COMMENTS A STARK REMINDER OF TORY INDIFFERENCE TO NO-DEAL IMPACT.
The SNP has warned that the Tory government’s “Brexit at any cost” plan is leading Scotland to economic and social catastrophe, after the Chancellor admitted today that he has no idea over the impact a no-deal Brexit would have on the economy.
When questioned on the Today programme over the impact of crashing out of the EU without a deal, Sajid Javid responded that “I don’t think anyone really knows a full proper answer to that question. And I have never pretended that if you leave without a deal it won’t be challenging.”
Contradicting the Chancellor’s comments, the Tory government’s very own analysis – code-named Yellowhammer – warns of food price rises, reduced medicine supplies, and low income families being disproportionately hit, in the event of a no-deal exit.
Other economic findings have revealed that a no-deal exit could hit Scotland’s economy to the tune of £9bn, threaten to plunge the UK into recession, cost 100,000 Scottish jobs, and inflict lasting harm on living standards and public services.
Kirsty Blackman MP, the SNP’s Economy spokesperson, said:
“Sajid Javid’s comments emphasise the Tory government’s reckless Brexit at any cost plans that will be catastrophic for Scotland’s economy, jobs and public services.
“The Chancellor’s remarks are even more staggering given the Tory government’s very own Yellowhammer documents expose just how damaging crashing out of the EU without a deal would be – warning of food price rises, reduced medicine supplies, and low income families being disproportionately hit.
“Economic analysis has time and time again shown that crashing out of the EU without a deal would be damaging for the economy, could plunge the UK into recession, cost thousands of jobs and hit our public services. That is a price that Scotland must not be made to pay and Sajid Javid’s comments highlights the indifference at the heart of this Tory government.
“People are looking on in horror at the chaos consuming Westminster. It is clearer than ever that the only way to properly protect Scotland’s interests is by becoming an independent country.
“In the coming election, the SNP will put Scotland’s opposition to Brexit – and our democratic right to choose our own future as an independent country – at the heart of that contest.”