Moray MP Douglas Ross has slammed the SNP-Green government’s “woeful” Scottish budget as a “hammer blow” for hard-pressed families and businesses across the country.
Douglas says that the introduction of a new income tax band of 45 per cent to be paid by those earning between £75,000 and £125,140 will only “drive people away” from making areas like Moray their home. The top rate of tax – paid by those earning over £125,000 will also rise from 47p to 48p.
He says that Scotland was already the highest taxed part of the United Kingdom under the SNP-Green government and this will only harm the economic recovery in Moray.
Douglas added that this has been compounded by Shona Robison’s failure to match the UK Government and pass on 75 per cent rates relief to leisure, hospitality and retail businesses in Moray.
He says SNP Moray MSP Richard Lochhead – who is also the minister for small business – should “hang his head in shame” at his failure to stand up for struggling small businesses in his constituency.
Douglas has also criticised the SNP-Green government for slashing the rural affairs budget by over £78 million in cash terms, which he says shows their “utter contempt” for rural communities like Moray.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “This was a woeful budget for Moray delivered by the SNP-Green government. Shona Robison’s shameless spin in trying to blame the UK Government for her budget decisions simply won’t wash with people here.
“Scotland was already the highest taxed part of the United Kingdom, yet to try and fill the financial black hole of their own making, the SNP have increased taxes on hard-pressed people in Moray.
“That will only drive people away from coming to Moray and choosing this area as their place to live and work and ensure our frontline services have the workers they desperately need.
“Shona Robison also shamefully refused to match the support being delivered south of the border to hospitality, leisure and retail businesses in the form of 75 per cent rates relief. That is a hammer blow for businesses and the local SNP Richard Lochhead – who is the minister for small business – should hang his head in shame.
“He has been missing in action and has clearly meekly accepted this failure to support businesses in the area he serves.
“Once again, the SNP-Green government have chosen the rural budget as a target for their savage cuts. The rural budget has been cut by almost £80 million in cash terms, which means organisations in Moray will yet again have to try and deliver more with less resources.
“That only highlights the utter contempt the SNP-Green government have for rural Scotland. This budget wholly fails to deliver for Moray’s communities, people and businesses.”