The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dear chancellor: We ask what people want to see
Ahead of today’s Budget, prominent figures have been setting out their hopes
The UK Budget will be presented today in some of the most trying and uncertain circumstances for generations.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak, himself a surprise element after the unexpected resignation of Sajid Javid, will attempt to plot a financial path for the UK while wrestling with the twin challenges of Brexit and coronavirus.
We approached a range of figures and organisations to ask what they hope to see in Mr Sunak’s red box this week.
Deirdre Michie, chief executive, Oil & Gas UK
What is the biggest issue you face right now?
The UK continues to need secure and affordable energy at the same time as tackling greenhouse gas emissions.
As the sector continues to emerge from one of the most severe global downturns in history, we need to sustain the commercial attractiveness of the basin so we can draw the investment we need to enable us to continue to help meet energy demand, continue to support hundreds of thousands of jobs and make a valuable contribution to the UK economy at the same time as stepping up to help meet the UK’s climate ambitions.
What should the chancellor do to help?
Fiscal and regulatory stability means the UK oil and gas industry can realise its potential as we move to a lower carbon and more diverse energy mix.
Andrew McRae, policy chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland (FSB)
What is the biggest issue you face right now?
Our latest report measuring business confidence in Scotland showed there’s a real shortage of optimism among firms north of the border and it was conducted before the coronavirus threatened to disrupt the economy. We’re looking for the chancellor to provide some much needed support for Scottish smaller businesses. What should the chancellor do to help?
Specifically, increase the discount on employers’ national insurance contributions by expanding the Employment Allowance by £1,000. This would then cover National Insurance costs for four members of staff on the National Living Wage – providing important flexibility.
“A fuel duty hike would have a disproportionate impact on firms in rural Scotland. Every penny spent at the pumps is money that a business can’t invest in their operation, and announce new action to tackle late payment by big business.
Scottish Whisky Association
What is the biggest issue you face right now?
The dual challenge of a high domestic tax burden – with £3 in every £4 spent on Scotch whisky collected in tax by the UK Treasury – and the 25% tariff on single malt Scotch whisky in the United States, the industry’s most valuable global market.
What should the chancellor do to help?
Cut spirits duty to help Scotch whisky producers build a stronger market in the UK and raise more revenue to help support vital public services.
Dr Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland
What is the biggest issue you face right now?
Climate change is the biggest issue facing humanity, much bigger than Brexit and coronavirus combined.
What should the chancellor do to help?
Transport continues to emit just as much climate emissions as it did 30 years ago because our funding and priorities are all about cars and planes. Restart the fuel duty escalator to give a clear signal the days of fossil-fuelled cars are numbered. The income raised could go into reversing the decline in bus usage and helping reshape our towns and cities so that walking and cycling become the most attractive ways to get around.
John Alexander, Dundee City Council leader
What is the biggest issue you face right now?
Ongoing funding to support delivery of council services. Just maintaining services at their current level is incredibly difficult, if not impossible. We also face challenges in maintaining capital investment in major projects, which is where vehicles such as the Tay Cities Deal comes into play.
What should the chancellor do to help?
Shake off of any hint of austerity and uplifts across all public sector areas, local government, NHS etc which would ultimately flow through the Barnett formula and help Dundee. Getting the Tay Cities Deal monies deployed is priority number one and an increase in the envelope in funding should be made to ensure that resources are targeted at where they are required. Dundee needs more investment to match our ambitions and ultimately redress the issue with lower than average employment levels.