IRVINE’S MSP says the Autumn Statement is “deeply damaging” for her constituents.

Ruth Maguire has this week slammed the announcement by Chancellor Philip Hammond who revealed the UK Government will up their borrowing by £122billion.

Insurance premiums will also rise which, according to Ms Maguire, will mean rising costs for hard-pressed families in her Cunninghame South constituency.

The Autumn Statement came alongside forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) which predicted consumers will be squeezed by the rising cost of exports - due to a weakened pound caused by Brexit.

Speaking this week, Ms Maguire said: “The Chancellor has just proved that this UK Government simply does not care for working families across Cunninghame South – with the full impact of Brexit yet to come. 

“We are already seeing the impact of leaving the EU hitting consumers, with OBR figures showing that the rising cost of imports due to a fall in the value of Sterling will cause prices of products to rise in our supermarkets and shops – as industry leaders have warned in recent weeks. 

“Insurance premiums are also on the rise, which will hit those already struggling hardest.”

The SNP politician added: “The Chancellor has completely failed to protect those on low incomes – continuing with the failed austerity onslaught that has been deeply damaging to families and communities across Cunninghame South. 

“Think-tanks and charities have rightly condemned this, with lower earnings, benefit cuts and higher costs providing a bleak outlook for people throughout Cunninghame South.

“We already know that Brexit could cost up to 80,000 jobs in Scotland and take £11.2 billion from our economy every year – and the Chancellor has not done enough to help prevent this happening, or to fill the forecasted £220 billion Brexit black hole.

“Piecemeal offerings from Philip Hammond have been more than offset by the deeply damaging impact of this Tory government’s policies – and people across Cunninghame South will be feeling the effects for a long time to come.”