Stephen Flynn has slammed "near billionaire" Rishi Sunak for having "patronised the public" over mortgage rate rises during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. The SNP Westminster leader said that the Prime Minister was "out of touch" and asked him "when was the last time he struggled to pay a bill".
He also had a go at the PM and Labour for not committing to public sector pay rises which were recommended by independent review bodies. Sunak came under fire earlier this week after he urged the public to “hold our nerve” over an increase in interest rates which have left mortgage-holders bracing for a big jump in their monthly repayments.
Flynn first paid tribute to SNP legend Winnie Ewing and former Scotland manager Craig Brown who passed away recently.
He said during PMQs: "On Sunday, the Prime Minister patronised the public when he told them that, in the face of ever increasing mortgage bills, that they simply need to hold their nerve. What a nerve. So may I ask him, the near billionaire, when was the last time that he struggled to pay a bill?"
Several Tory MPs groaned when Flynn mentioned Sunak's wealth. Sunak replied: "The reason that mortgage rates are rising is because of inflation. That is the root cause which is why it's absolutely the right policy to tackle high inflation and reduce it back to target.
"Now, that does mean that we do have to make difficult decisions. It does mean we have to be patient while the impact of those decisions actually has an impact.
"But in the meantime as I was explaining previously, we are taking practical steps to support mortgage holders across the United Kingdom, particularly through the SMI scheme and the new mortgage charter."
Flynn then had a go at Sunak over public sector pay rises. He said: "That answer confirms what we already know, that this Prime Minister's out of touch and the Tory Party is soon to be out of time.
"What the public really want is change. But in a week where the Conservative Party and indeed the Labour Party both refused to accept proposals for public sector pay raises, whilst at the same time, accepting the economic damage of Brexit, is it not the case the Westminster does not offer the people real change nor real hope for the future?"
Sunak replied: "The honourable gentleman just exposes the complete economic illiteracy of the SNP. His first question talks about the talks about the challenges posed on ordinary families by higher interest rates caused by higher inflation.
"What does the next question do? Support a policy that would increase government borrowing and make the situation worse. It just demonstrates completely candidly why the SNP's approach to economic management is simply not fit for anyone in the United Kingdom."
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