CLACKMANNANSHIRE politicians rejoiced at the decision by the Scottish Government to endorse additional funds to effectively get rid of the controversial Bedroom Tax.

Last week’s budget announcement was welcomed by Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP, Keith Brown, who said it showed Scotland should have the powers to completely scrap the hated tax.

Alongside targeting Westminster welfare cuts the budget will continue the small business bonus, protect free education, entitle primary one to three pupils to free school meals, saving families in Clackmannanshire around £300 per eligible child.

There will also be extended childcare provision to 600 hours for three and four year olds and for vulnerable two year olds, saving around £700 a year and continue the Council Tax freeze that will have saved local people £1,200 on average by the end of this parliament.

Speaking after the budget, Keith said, “Today’s budget is a budget to boost our economy and support households with the rising cost of living.

“Delivering free school meals, extending childcare and protecting the Council Tax freeze will save hundreds of pounds for households across Clackmannanshire.

“That is vital action to help people during difficult times and will be warmly welcomed by people across my constituency. What is also particularly welcome is that even more action is being taken to help people affected by Westminster’s Bedroom Tax.

“The money has been put in place to make sure that people across Scotland will not be penalised by Bedroom Tax but of course far better than attempting to mitigate the deeply unfair Bedroom Tax would simply be to abolish it altogether – the only thing standing in the way of that is Westminster.” The MSP wasted no time in taking a swipe at the opposition following the announcement.

He said, “It’s important to remember that it was Labour who piloted the Bedroom Tax back in 2001 and Labour who failed to turn up to vote to abolish it at Westminster – more than ever it is clear that only a Yes vote in September will give the Scottish Parliament that right and ensure that Scotland’s welfare system reflects the priorities of people in Scotland rather than the Westminster Treasury.” On the other side of the political divide, Labour MP Gordon Banks says he is “delighted” that the SNP Government has conceded to Scottish Labour’s budget demands which will fully offset the Bedroom Tax in Scotland.

He said, “Scottish Labour has worked long and hard to get the SNP Government to listen to their calls asking them to fully mitigate the effects of this cruel and pernicious tax. I am delighted that the SNP have conceded to Labour’s budget demands, which have forced this resolution.

“The SNP has consistently denied that they had the power to do this, and only in the couple of last weeks at the launch of Better Together Clackmannanshire when I stated my view that they could do so if they wished, SNP supporters disagreed with me.” Gordon added, “The budget vote showed devolution at its best – effectively ridding Scotland of a burden on those least able to bear it. But why did it take so long when the solution was always there in the hands of the Scottish Government?”