The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has delivered a Budget boost for the north-east, Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has said.
Mr Duguid welcomed the raft of announcements from the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, including an extension of the furlough scheme and self-employment support until September.
The VAT cut for hospitality and tourism businesses from 20% to 5% will also be continued for another six months, while the Universal Credit uplift will be continued until September.
There will be £37million of investment to help the North Sea transition away from oil and gas including £27million for the Aberdeen Energy Transition Zone, £5m towards the Aberdeen Global Underwater Hub and £2m to go towards the development of the upcoming North Sea Transition Deal.
The Scottish Government will also receive £1.2billion in new Barnett funding.
Alcohol duty will be frozen in a boost for the whisky, gin and craft beer sectors, while fuel duty will also be frozen in a move that will please motorists – particularly in rural areas.
Scottish Conservative MP for Banff and Buchan David Duguid said:
“This is a Budget that delivers for people and businesses here in the north-east.
“The Chancellor has rightly extended the furlough and self-employment support schemes that have supported so many jobs throughout this crisis – as well as extending the self-employment scheme to those recently self-employed in the last year.
“The fuel duty freeze will save money at the pumps for drivers and businesses across Banff and Buchan. That runs contrary to what the SNP wanted to do, which was to increase fuel duty.
“There was also a huge vote of confidence in future economic growth in the north-east with £37million investment in the North Sea Transition Deal and subsea technology as well as a new Energy Transition Zone in Aberdeen.
“I also welcome the alcohol duty freeze – for the second year in a row – in a boost for our whisky, gin and craft beer producers.
“The extra £1.2billion in funding for the Scottish Government will support the delivery of public services like our NHS and schools – on top of the £9.7billion already provided for Covid support and the £2.4billion announced at last year’s spending review.
“Once again, the Chancellor has proved that he is willing to do whatever it takes to get the whole United Kingdom, through this crisis and help our economy build back better.”