Scottish Labour candidate Martin McCluskey has accused the Tory government of “14 years of failure” following the budget.

McCluskey has said the budget “doesn’t even begin to undo the damage” the Tories have done and reiterated Labour’s calls for a General Election.

The budget includes an extension of the windfall tax on the eye-watering profits of oil and gas giants, which comes as an embarrassment for the Scottish Tory Party and the SNP who both oppose the move.

Martin McCluskey has warned that the SNP is now “the right of the Tories” on this issue and urged SNP candidate Ronnie Cowan to back Labour’s plans for a windfall tax.

Commenting, Scottish Labour candidate Martin McCluskey said “After 14 years of failure in government, no-one is buying the Tories’ cynical attempts to convince voters they’re on their side.

“This budget doesn’t even begin to undo the damage this Tory government has done to people across Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West – families are still struggling, food prices are still going up and annual mortgage payments are still £2,000 higher.

“With even the Tories accepting that we need to extend the windfall tax on the eye-watering profits of oil and gas giants, the SNP is now to the right of the Tories on this issue.

“Ronnie Cowan must stand up for the people of Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West and back Labour’s plans to deliver a real windfall tax so we can cut bills, insulate homes, create green jobs, and deliver energy security.