UK Autumn Budget reaction: MP Douglas Ross calls decisions 'tough but necessary', as MSP Richard Lochhead slams Tories for 'trashing' UK economy
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE United Kingdom's Autumn Budget, announced by chancellor Jeremy Hunt yesterday, has received a mixed reception in Moray.
Moray's Conservative MP Douglas Ross said Mr Hunt took "tough but necessary" measures to steer the UK through the current cost-of-living crisis.
However, SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said the economy has been "trashed" to the cost of people locally.
The main budget announcements saw the minimum wage for people aged over 23 increased from £9.50 to £10.42 per hour.
State pensions and means-tested and disability benefits are to increase, in line with inflation, by 10.1 per cent.
Amid the cost-of-energy crisis, the household energy cap has been extended by a year – but bills will be capped at £3000, up from £2500.
Douglas Ross praised the budget and said there was good news for Moray distilleries.
“The Chancellor has taken the tough but necessary economic decisions to steer Moray and the whole United Kingdom through these extremely challenging economic times," he said.
"He has been upfront about what lies ahead but has ensured that the most vulnerable across Moray will be supported through a raft of measures.
"In particular, it is extremely welcome he has uplifted benefits by the rate of inflation and kept the triple lock on pensions.
“I am also delighted that he has listened to the repeated calls from myself and the whisky industry to avoid hitting them with an increase in duty at this time.
“Deferring this decision until next year is a welcome boost for our local distilleries and allows time for more dialogue between the industry and the Treasury.
“The Autumn Statement is further proof that Scotland is continuing to benefit from being part of a strong United Kingdom and we are best served dealing with the economic crisis together.”
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead accused Mr Hunt of imposing "devastating" cuts.
He said: “The Tories have trashed the UK’s economy and people in Moray will pay the price as the Chancellor ushers in a new wave of painful austerity cuts.
“The Tory Chancellor could have made fairer choices – tackling non-doms and expanding the windfall tax to include companies making excess profits.
"Instead, the Tories are imposing devastating cuts to household budgets and vital public services at a time when people will need these services more than ever.
“Households in Moray will be especially concerned by UK Government plans to increase energy bills at the same time as they are cutting incomes and imposing stealth taxes.
“The reality is people are significantly worse off now than when the Tories came to power and so it’s no surprise more and more people are being persuaded of the case for independence, which would allow us to make better, fairer choices for people in Scotland.”
The Moray Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, have condemned the decision to reverse the alcohol duty tax freeze.
Neil Alexander, Convener of the Moray Lib Dems, said: “This is a damaging reversal in the new Conservative ‘cost-of-chaos’ budget that will directly hurt the whisky trade in Moray and the people that work for the distilleries.
"Moray deserves better. We have a parliament in Edinburgh and a government in London both turning a blind eye to a vital local trade. Moray Lib Dems will continue to oppose increased taxes on the dram.”
