Burnham should give Scots answers on heating oil and Europe

Liberal Democrat Scottish affairs spokesperson Susan Murray MP has today (Friday 16th October) said that Andy Burnham should use his visit to Scotland to explain when protections around heating oil will come into effect, and to back Liberal Democrat plans for rejoining the Single Market.

On Friday, Andy Burnham is expected to make his first substantive visit to Scotland since becoming Prime Minister.

While the UK Government has announced households on heating oil will benefit from better protections, it has failed to set out when such changes will happen.

The Prime Minister has also said he will push for new post-Brexit deals with the EU. Liberal Democrats have called on him to go further by rejoining the Single Market and negotiating a new customs union deal.

Susan Murray MP said:

“This visit is an opportunity for the Prime Minister, but he needs to use it wisely.

“Burnham will need to give answers on more than just his pub preferences for scampi fries and pork scratchings.

“He needs to tell people living in rural areas across Scotland when they will receive help with heating oil, especially with the winter fast approaching.

“He also needs to show the courage of his convictions on Europe and back our plans to rejoin the Single Market and negotiate a fresh customs union. It’s the single biggest way we can grow the economy and put money back in peoples’ pockets.

“The true test of the Prime Minister’s visit to Scotland is whether he can go beyond the soundbites.”