24/11/2025 10:12
The Guardian
Peter Kyle defends government as Reeves faces criticism about pre-budget briefings ahead of Wednesday announcementSeverin Carrell is the Guardian’s Scotland editor.The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is expected to release £14.5m in extra investment for the Grangemouth area on Wednesday to support faltering efforts to provide jobs after the closure of Scotland’s only oil refinery earlier this year.We said we would stand squarely behind communities like Grangemouth, and we meant it. And we’re building on what we have done already by putting millions in as a starter to help put the community on a firm footing and strengthening its places as part of the clean energy revolution.These investments will help deliver a fair transition for Grangemouth, securing jobs for local people way into the future.When I visit business and ask them what most causes anxiety, yes, they do talk about the tax burden.But the single most complained about measure in this government’s programme is not a tax rise. It is the employment rights bill …Nobody did more to hammer business and employees than Kemi Badenoch did as business secretary. Her Tory party crashed the economy – leaving firms and families saddled with sky-high interest rates, rocketing energy costs, and higher prices. Yet they still haven’t apologised.The Conservatives are clear: they’ve declared war on workers. Badenoch already described maternity pay as ‘excessive’ and her cruel plans would mean a return of fire-and-rehire and quashed wages for workers, while she drowns business in red tape all over again. Continue reading...
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