Media reports based on research by Debt Justice today have drawn attention to large numbers unable to keep up with debt payments after 14 years of Tory mismanagement of the economy, soaring costs and high taxation.
The researchers kindly provided me with the breakdown across the 4 nations, not being covered in other media reporting.
In South-east England, 21% had fallen behind or missed payments on any three months in the last year. In the North of England, it was 16% and in the Midlands, it was 14%.
In sharp contrast, in Scotland the figure was 9%.
These differences are clear evidence of the effectiveness and moral justice of the SNP Government in its management of the economy despite limited access to the full levers.
On taxation, we see his from the IFS last year:
The poorest tenth of Scottish households will gain the equivalent of almost £260 per year, or 2% of their incomes, on average, from the combined effect of the benefits and income tax changes. Households with children in approximately the bottom third of the income distribution will gain, on average, around £1,200 per year – around 4%–5% of their incomes.
On benefits, from Loughborough University in February 2024, we see:
The Scottish child payment, universal free school meals for all pupils in P1 to P5, best start payments, free bus travel for under 22’s and school clothing grants, alongside cheaper than average childcare, can reduce the net cost of bringing up a child in Scotland by over a third for low-income families.
Finally on the cost of housing, from ONS research in 2024:
Whilst the average amount of council tax in Scotland has decreased by -7.1% (around £101) in real terms since the SNP came to power, in Labour run-Wales it has increased in real terms by 31.6% (around £445). In England under successive Tory and Labour governments, it has slightly increased.
Council tax is also cheaper in every Band (A-H) in Scotland, when compared with England and Wales, and will likely remain so given the Council Tax freeze the SNP Scottish Government has recently announced, which has not been replicated elsewhere in the UK.
Sources:
https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/nI_xCQn9wCkYWyB1uPdk8L?domain=debtjustice.org.uk
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Meanwhile Labour Council leaders and Labour MSPs are gearing up to raise Council Tax if given half a chance . This is the ”CHANGE” Starmer and Sarwar intend for Scotland if they ever get their hypocritical Red Tory hands on power .
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KevA more equal tax system which could be even better. Helping low income families Westminster illegal wars, tax evasion, Trident, financial fraud, Brexit losing £Billions.
UK Gov now trying to take Scotland renewable energy without paying for it. To benefit London S/E. No parity. Scotland pays more because it is colder despite being in surplus and nearer the source.
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