Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell has slammed the SNP Government’s draft budget, describing it as disappointing news to families and businesses in his constituency.
Mr Mundell was dismayed that SNP Finance Secretary Derek Mackay ruled out passing on a tax cut for middle earners in Scotland, like the UK Government have.
The SNP’s chair of it’s own growth commission had also warned higher taxes would mean firms having to ‘top up’ salaries in order to keep staff, but that would potentially see firms relocate to elsewhere in the UK.
The Dumfriesshire representative hit out at the fact people in Gretna will be paying more in tax than people a matter of miles away in Carlisle and businesses have been discouraged from investing in Scottish based firms.
Commenting Oliver Mundell MSP said: “This draft budget from the Scottish Government is disappointing news for families and businesses across my constituency.
“With Scotland’s growth lower than the United Kingdom and unemployment higher in Scotland, I would have thought that Derek Mackay would have used it to help families and businesses who are struggling.
“Instead what we have seen is a message that Scotland is a place where you will be taxed higher than the rest of the United Kingdom and we see nothing to help businesses grow.
“How disappointing that Derek Mackay doesn’t see fit to give people more money in their pocket to help grow Scotland’s economy.
“I am constantly pushing for major investment in Dumfriesshire to help boost jobs but the Scottish Government are continuing to thwart any plans to drive forward the economy.
“It is grossly unfair that people in my constituency which is so close to the border will be paying higher taxes than those living in Carlisle and Cumbria.
“With a host of new powers at their disposal, this could have been a forward thinking budget from the SNP, but instead they have chosen to make Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK.”
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