The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne MP has today published the autumn statement, setting out the UK Government’s economic plan.
It confirms that the UK Government’s increase in the personal allowance will result in 38,000 Scots paying no income tax at all and over 2.1 million seeing an average real terms gain of £94.
As a result of the spending plans announced today, the Scottish Government will benefit from additional funding of £238m through to 2015-16, including £125m of health spending.
The Chancellor has also announced the UK Government will be reviewing business rates, putting the pressure on the SNP to do likewise for Scotland and stamp duty is now lower than it is in Scotland.
Employment in Scotland has also risen by 167,000 since the general election and 250,000 private sector jobs have been created. Employment is higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK and unemployment is lower.
And on Air Passenger Duty, the UK Government has announced an exemption for under 16s which will save a family £142 on the cost of a long-haul flight, until APD is fully devolved to Scotland.
Murdo Fraser MSPsaid:
“In a difficult economic climate, the UK Government has successfully halved our deficit, while also implementing tax cuts for those on low incomes, cuts to air passenger duty and a continued freeze on fuel duty which will benefit rural motorists across the Mid-Scotland and Fife region.
“This statement is good news for Scotland as the SNP is given an extra £238m to spend, including £125m for the NHS. The SNP must now say how they intend to put this extra money to good use.
“And with the UK Government now reforming business rates, the time has surely come for the Scottish Government to do likewise. High Streets across Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire need real change to reverse their recent declines.
“This SNP Government is falling behind the UK Government on business rates reform, stamp duty and on many other areas of economic policy. I hope that it will use the next 18 months as an opportunity to play catch up.”