Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson has hailed Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget as one which will help families and businesses recover from the COVID pandemic.
Mr Simpson said the steps taken are positive ones for the East Kilbride area and the country as a whole – and has hit out at the SNP, claiming not all funds made available to them by Westminster to help businesses through the pandemic have been allocated.
But East Kilbride SNP MSP Linda Fabiani hit back saying every penny of extra funding has been distributed and that the Scottish Government has gone much further to protect households and businesses.
Mr Simpson has welcomed an extension to the uplift in Universal Credit, as well as extending the furlough scheme and providing more support for the self-employed until the end of September announced by Rishi Sunak.
A freeze in both fuel duty and Scotch Whisky were also announced, alongside an extension for the VAT cut for the hospitality and leisure industries to be kept at five per cent for the next six months.
Business in Central Scotland are also set to benefit from Rishi Sunak’s creation of a recovery loan scheme which will offer loans between £25,000 and £10 million to businesses, backed up by an 80 per cent loan from the UK Government.
And Mr Simpson has backed calls for the SNP Government to think again over their failure not to extend the stamp duty holiday in Scotland, with Rishi Sunak giving prospective owners south of the border a further three month extension in not paying any tax on purchases worth up to £500,000.
Mr Simpson said: “Rishi Sunak’s Budget is one that delivers huge benefits for individuals, businesses and communities across Central Scotland.
“At every turn during the pandemic, the UK Government has stepped up to protect jobs and livelihoods in Central Scotland. The Chancellor’s Budget confirms yet again that he will be supporting everyone that needs it as we continue to fight the pandemic, and then rebuild our communities.
“And with the creation of recovery loans, the continuation of a freeze in fuel duty and on scotch whisky, Rishi Sunak has taken the specific needs of Scotland and the communities in Central Scotland directly into account.
“When you also see an extension of the uplift in Universal Credit, you can see the benefits of the Scottish Conservatives working constructively with the Chancellor. All too often businesses have been an afterthought in the SNP’S response to this pandemic.”
However, Linda Fabiani said: “The Scottish Government has already gone much further in support for business and households – with 100 per rates relief, a council tax freeze and a five-year investment plan.
“The SNP have for many months now been calling for an extension of the Universal Credit £20 uplift and, whilst it is welcome to see the Chancellor listening on this issue, it is foolish to end it in September at the same time as furlough.
“And unlike the Westminster Government, the Scottish Government will deliver a fair pay rise for NHS workers.”
Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “The UK Budget falls far short of what is needed for Scotland’s recovery.
“The UK has had the worst economic crisis of any major economy in the wake of the pandemic, which is the direct result of years and years of Tory austerity before COVID.
“Self-employed people have been badly let down and the failure to address the low level of Statutory Sick Pay is undermining public health and pushing workers into poverty.
“With attention turning to the Scottish Budget, SNP ministers must use Barnett consequentials to secure a long-term recovery for Scotland.
“Scottish Labour is backing the call for a £15 per hour minimum wage for social care workers as part of a recovery package for jobs, public services, businesses and education. It’s not enough to clap for key workers; they have been underpaid and undervalued for too long and need a pay rise.”
