Moray MP Douglas Ross says there a “raft of measures” for people and businesses across his constituency to welcome in the Chancellor’s Growth Plan delivered to Parliament today (Friday).
In particular Douglas has welcomed confirmation from Kwasi Kwarteng that the planned increase on duty for scotch whisky has been frozen, given the industry’s importance for jobs and the local economy in Moray.
He has also welcomed that the UK Government have reversed a decision on taxing overseas shoppers.
Douglas was the only Conservative MP to vote against this measure when it was initially proposed in February 2021 after listening directly to concerns from major employers in Moray about the impact it would have on retailers based here.
Douglas says that the statement from the Chancellor has given the UK economy a welcome boost and in particular the SNP must follow his plans to give 2.4m Scots a tax cut, otherwise the tax gap between those living in Moray compared to people living south of the border will only widen further.
He has also encouraged the SNP Government to raise the LBTT rate- the equivalent of stamp duty rates- to £250,000 to help the housing market in Moray.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “The Chancellor’s Plan for Growth featured a raft of positive measures which will bring significant benefits to people and businesses in Moray at this hugely challenging time.
“In particular, I will be raising a glass at his decision to cancel the planned rise in duty on Scotch Whisky. That is extremely welcome for such an important industry for Moray which provides so many jobs and will also help support hospitality businesses in this area as well.
“I’m also pleased the new Chancellor has listened to concerns from myself and others to reintroduce tax free shopping for visitors. I was the only MP in my party to vote against this measure when it was brought in early last year having listened extremely carefully to the concerns of major retailers in my constituency. Today's announcement confirms I was right to take this position at the very start.
“Given these companies presence elsewhere in the United Kingdom, this is a major boost for them as we look to encourage visitors to shop across our country.
“The focus on driving up growth from the UK Government is extremely welcome as are there plans to accelerate tax cuts for those paying the basic rate of income tax. Those cuts now must be backed up by the SNP-Green Government.
"For too long ministers in Holyrood have allowed the tax gap to widen for those living in Moray compared to those south of the border and they cannot let that widen even further.
“They must also follow suit and raise the LBTT thresholds to £250,000 for homebuyers across Moray to give the local market a boost, otherwise this is another area where our local economy will lag behind.
“This is a positive plan for growth for people and businesses across Moray at a time when the country is facing a huge economic challenge and now it is over to the SNP-Green Government to match the UK Government’s ambition.”