Following a new report showing Tory austerity policies have “likely” caused more deaths than COVID-19, SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has said that the human cost of Scotland remaining under the control of the Tories at Westminster could be proving fatal for some of his Greenock and Inverclyde constituents.
The report, produced by Glasgow University and the Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH), revealed that almost 335,000 more deaths than expected were recorded across Scotland, England and Wales in an eight-year period, and that these were “likely to have been caused by UK government economic policy.”
In Scotland, 12,735 excess deaths were recorded amongst men, and 6,564 amongst women – making a total of 19,299 excess deaths.
Commenting, Stuart said:
“These figures are a damning indictment of the deadly impact of Tory austerity policies.
“The report effectively labels the Tories being in power at Westminster as being more harmful to people’s health than the COVID-19 virus – and the only vaccine to permanently rid Scotland of this illness is with independence.
“Power can change hands at Westminster, but we would still be shackled to an unequal system that protects the Union above all. The first month of Liz Truss’ premiership has plunged the UK economy into utter chaos – and yet where are the Labour party?
“Scotland hasn’t voted for a Tory government in almost 60 years, yet we have had cruel Tory policy after cruel Tory policy imposed on us – and now we see those same policies are likely causing excess deaths here.
“Inverclyde has a fuel poverty rate of 28% and despite the Scottish Government investing millions in the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme and the Home Heating Support Fund to help households who’re struggling, so long as the majority of the powers to deal with energy issues remain in London, my constituents will continue to suffer.
“The stark reality of this report is heart-breaking – but we can have a brighter, safer future with independence, which would give us all the powers needed to ensure people aren’t left to go cold and hungry.”
