Moray SNP News

MORAY MSP RESPONDS TO UK GOVERNMENT BUDGET

Commenting on the UK Government Budget set out by Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Moray’s SNP MSP said: 

“The SNP has been clear that the Labour UK Government must bring an end to an era of austerity and invest to grow the economy and improve funding for public services.

“Any increase in funding for the Scottish Government is of course welcome, however, the UK Government may well be giving with one hand and taking with another given the cost of increasing national insurance contributions that will impact employers including in our public services such as our NHS and local authorities.

“As the MSP that represents Speyside I have to say I am beyond frustrated with further increases in whisky duty and I deplore the way in which this vital industry is treated by distant Westminster Governments. The industry gets big promises from both Labour and the Tories before elections and then is simply used as a cash cow once they’re in office. The duty rates on whisky are absolutely staggering.

“And of course, Labour has failed to u-turn on its cruel decision to cut the winter fuel payment, which will push pensioners in energy rich Moray into fuel poverty this winter, despite pre-election promises to reduce household energy bills.”