Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron has given a warm welcome to Rishi Sunak’s budget.
The Scottish Conservative MSP said:
“The measures announced today by Rishi Sunak are very good news indeed for the Highlands and Islands and underpin our economic recovery from the pandemic."
“The freezing of duty on whisky is, of course, very important for a major local industry which employs thousands across the region."
“And the freeze on fuel duty will be greeted with relief by the very many people who are dependent on cars in the Highlands and Islands where there are simply not public transport alternatives."
“Overall, the budget delivers the biggest ever block grant to Scotland since devolution, and the £4.6 billion of extra funding for public services should help deliver real improvements in the vital services that we all rely on.”
The UK Government Budget, delivered today by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, includes an increase of £4.6 billion for the Scottish Budget next year.
Rishi Sunak also announced £150 million for Scottish businesses through the British Business Bank, and the UK Conservative Government has also frozen fuel duty for the 11th year in a row.
Scotland’s whisky industry has also received a boost, with spirit duty frozen again.
In addition, the UK Government will directly invest in several major infrastructure and transport projects across Scotland, as part of the Levelling Up Fund, including:
- £20 million for the zero-carbon regeneration of Inverness castle, Bught Park Stadium, and other Inverness attractions
- £13 million to restore Glasgow’s Pollok Park Stables and Sawmill into a community and heritage centre
- £20 million for improvements to Falkirk Westfield roundabout
- £24 million to upgrade the B714 route between North Ayrshire and Glasgow
- £39 million to improve travel links between Paisley and Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS)
- £20 million for Aberdeen City Centre regeneration Master Plan
- £16 million to restore and reopen the listed Granton Gas Holder, in Edinburgh
More details here: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/budget-2021