UK Government not helping Forces families with cost of living, says Labour
Shadow defence secretary John Healey hit out while campaigning in Scotland.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Forces families are “falling behind” because the UK Government is doing “too little to help” with the cost of living crisis, Labour has claimed.
Shadow defence secretary, John Healey, hit out at the situation as he met veterans during a visit to Scotland.
Speaking as he campaigned in Dunfermline, Fife, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Mr Healey said those serving in the armed forces had seen their pay fall over the last 10 years, insisting: “Ministers are failing Armed Forces families.
“Everyone’s bills are going up and the UK Government is doing too little to help, so forces families are falling behind.
“The Office for Budget Responsibility has said that we are set to see the biggest drop to household incomes on record this year.
“Unfortunately, Forces families across the country will be faced with tough financial decisions.”
Mr Healey continued: “Despite this, ministers plan a real-terms cut in day-to-day Ministry of Defence spending over the next three years. This means less money for forces recruitment, training, pay and families.
“No other Whitehall department has a real cut in revenue spending, and the Defence Secretary should never have agreed to it.”
His comments came as Mr Sarwar said that the local elections on May 5 would be focused on the cost of living crisis.
“Every single Scot is living through the cost of living crisis and yet neither of Scotland’s Governments are doing anywhere near enough to help, Mr Sarwar said.
“The reality is that, after 15 years in power, all the SNP are willing to do is give families a pathetic £4 a week. Meanwhile, the Tories are putting up taxes in Westminster.
“Scottish Labour are the only party with a proper plan to tackle the cost of living, by rolling out a one-off windfall tax on gas companies and reducing the costs of everyday living. Scotland needs action and it needs it now.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.