Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD RESPONDS TO UK GOVERNMENT BUDGET

WHISKY INDUSTRY BETRAYED BY CHANCELLOR’S BUDGET

Richard Lochhead MSP has commented on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s budget statement made in Parliament earlier today.

Commenting, Moray’s MSP said:

“The whisky industry is hugely important to the Speyside and Moray economy and the Chancellor has failed to back the industry by increasing tax on whisky, despite promising during the 2019 election campaign to ensure the tax system supports Scotch whisky. The average bottle will be now taxed at a staggering 75%! What a betrayal! 

“Jeremy Hunt and the UK Government have again failed to provide any substantial support to households across the country who are being forced to the brink with the cost of living crisis. Wholesale energy prices have fallen but the UK Government have refused to pass this onto households by cutting energy bills and not extending the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

“While the local community will welcome this funding to repair the Cloddach Bridge it doesn’t make up for Moray being snubbed after the £18m bid to the Levelling Up was knocked back. And it doesn’t distract from the betrayal of the whisky sector.”