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SNP MP Patricia Gibson appeared in the House of Commons and slammed the UK Government for introducing an “aggressive” National Insurance tax hike and blasted the “so-called partnership of equals” between Scotland and the UK. She demanded Jacob Rees-Mogg answer for the increase and wondered if he believed the increase would strengthen or weaken the Union. A calm Mr Rees-Mogg took to the dispatch box and explained the Union was getting “stronger and stronger” before attacking Nicola Sturgeon and goading her to return the tax money if she did not want it.
Ms Gibson took issue with the tax hike and said: “Despite a so-called partnership of equals, Scotland is subjected to a Tory elections bill which is an assault on the democratic process, constant attempts to shift the goalposts on an independence referendum.
“A UK government seeking to legislate on devolved areas and the imposition of an aggressive tax hitting all paid workers.
“Will the Leader of the House make a statement explaining whether or not he thinks these measures are strengthening or weakening the Union?”
Mr Rees-Mogg quickly replied: “I’m glad to say the Union seems to get stronger and stronger because we have seen how important it has been during the course of the pandemic.
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“With the enormous sums of money that have come from the UK taxpayer to help every corner of the United Kingdom, £407billion so far, of which I think £15billion has gone to Scotland.
“In terms of the National Insurance increase, people in Scotland will get more money than they pay and they will get more money for health care.
“So, is it now the policy of the SNP along with the policy of the Labour Party that they don’t want to have extra funding for health care, they want to have longer waits for hips for knees but other operations, fewer treatments to take place?
“And I think the Union is getting stronger because people are beginning to see the failures of the Nationalist government in Scotland which all it does is go on.
“If he is handing this money back then let’s hear it from the Scottish Nationalists – do they or don’t they?”
The SNP have been critical of the new National Insurance hike which will see it rise by 1.25 percentage points with critics saying it will impact lower earners the most.
An £86,000 cap has also been put on social care costs meaning those who own properties may not have to sell them and lose their savings when they require the care.
SNP Commons leader Ian Blackford called it a new poll tax and blasted the Conservatives for punishing lower earners and the young.
Stephen Flynn MP also stated Scotland was “bailing out” the “failing” system in England through this tax.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced to the House of Commons an increase of National Insurance by 1.25 percentage points to pay for social care reforms and to clear the NHS backlog.
The increase, which will be put in place from April 2022, was met with widespread criticism, with some stating the tax punishes workers and the young.
The Conservatives also promised in their 2019 manifesto they would not increase National Insurance.
Unlike Income Tax, National Insurance contributions do not massively increase with income meaning those at the top and bottom of earning will essentially pay similar amounts.
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