UK Budget stands up for Scotland, says Briggs
The new UK Budget announced Barnett consequential of nearly £1 billion, £959.7 million, over the next three years.
There will be £550 million of additional fund for NHS Scotland, £42.9 million for measures to help high street shops and £41.0 million for a pothole fund.
The £550 million for health spending is the first tranche of a £2 billion Barnett NHS bonus due over the next five years.
Fuel duty will be frozen for a ninth consecutive year, which means the average driver in Lothian will pay £139 less than if duty had increased from 2011.
The Budget announced a freeze in spirits duty, including duty on whisky, rather than increasing with inflation next year. This means that the average bottle of whisky will now be 30p cheaper than if the duty had increased with inflation.
From next year, the personal income tax allowance will rise to £12,500. This will save a typical basic rate taxpayer in Lothian £130 compared to 2018-19, and £1,205 compared to 2010-11. This reduction in tax for everyone is in stark contrast to the SNP’s budget last year when taxes for everyone earning over £26,000 a year in Scotland were increased.
Philip Hammond also announced a rise in the threshold of the higher rate of income tax, of 40p, to earnings above £50,000. Derek Mackay will now need to decide if he will replicate the increased tax threshold when he announces his budget in December. Currently anyone earning between £43,431 and £50,000 will be paying significantly more tax in Scotland than they would be in England.
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP, said: “The UK Budget, announced this Monday, shows clearly that Scottish Conservative MPs are standing up for the interests of Scotland.
“An increase to people’s personal allowance for income tax is very welcome and will make a big difference to people, especially those who are on lower incomes.
“An additional £550 million for NHS Scotland comes at a crucial time when Health boards are under ever increasing pressure, a large proportion has already gone on writing off the debts of health boards.
“Additional funding to tackle the number of potholes on our roads and to support local businesses on the high street is also very welcome as well maintained roads are essential for everyone and the current state of our roads is well below what it should be.
“I also welcome the continued freeze in fuel duty that will save driver in Lothian significant amounts of money in fuel throughout the year.”
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