Nicola Sturgeon blames Tory austerity for growth in food banks

NICOLA STURGEON has blamed Conservative austerity policies for the growth of food banks in Scotland.

The SNP leader warned a greater Tory majority at Westminster following next month’s General Election would lead to “an even greater burden of needless austerity”.

On a visit to the Highland Foodbank in Inverness, she said: “The growth of food banks is a damning indictment of just how damaging Tory austerity has been to communities across Scotland.

“The SNP have worked to protect household incomes by keeping council tax bills low, and by supporting families at every stage of their life – from the baby box and support for new parents, to free university education, to free medicine and free personal care.

“In contrast, the Tories have argued for years that the sick should pay for their medicine, that the young should be forced into debt to pay for tuition, and that the elderly should face costs for personal care.

“There can be no doubt that the Tories at Westminster would use a bigger majority at this election to make ordinary families bear an even greater burden of needless austerity.

“Now more than ever, it is vital to have strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland.

“Only then can we protect Scotland from the dangers of an unopposed Tory government at Westminster and continue to make Scotland the best country it can be.”