Analysis: What exactly will Sunak’s Westminster Budget mean for the coronavirus-hit economy north of the Border?
When Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak delivers his Budget to Westminster tomorrow, more eyes than usual will be on the announcements that affect Scotland.
While many of the Westminster Budget announcements do not generally apply to Scotland – with key areas such as health and education devolved to Holyrood – this year’s will have more significance. The coronavirus crisis has forced the UK Government to inject cash into industries UKwide in a bid to protect the economy.
Perhaps one of the most significant announcements will be a further extension to the furlough scheme, which at this stage, seems inevitable. Hundreds of thousands of Scots are currently on the UK Government’s jobs retention scheme, which has paid 80 per cent of some employees' salary up to £2,500 a month for hours not worked throughout the coronavirus crisis. The latest figures, for the end of December, showed that 282,800 Scots were still on the scheme, up from 195,200 at the
end of October. A reduction in hospitality VAT from 20 per cent to five per cent looks set to be extended again, possibly for up to three months beyond the current 31 March cut-off, which would benefit Scots businesses. Uncertainty over when the hospitality and tourism sector is likely to be able to start operating again north of the border has left business owners facing months of financial turmoil.
Trade bodies are united in calling for a cut on beer duty, while the Scotch Whisky Association has called for a cut to excise duty. The organisation has claimed that a reduction of the tax burden on whisky, which currently sees £3 in every £4 spent on the averagepriced bottle of Scotch Whisky
go directly to HM Treasury in taxes, would drive government revenues and boost the hospitality industry.
For home buyers, expectations that Mr Sunak will launch a new scheme which will make it easier to get a 95 per cent mortgage will be welcome news.
Mr Sunak is also expected to extend the current stamp duty holiday south of the Border, however the Scottish equivalent – a reduction on the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax brought in last year – is to run out at the end of this month.
Scotrail has warned passengers who dodge buying a ticket during the Covid-19 pandemic they will be caught.
The company said that 533 people have been caught so far, with £17,600 levied against customers attempting to travel without paying.
In one case a businessman, who had taken 53 journeys over the course of a few months, had to pay £2,300 in missed fares and a £30 daily administration fee.
Scotrail said it recognises that it is relatively easy for passengers to get on and off trains without paying for all or part of their journey as only 17 of the 350 stations it operates across Scotland are equipped with ticket barriers.
However, the company warned passengers that the train operator’s CCTV cameras can prove where their journey began and Scotrail can then work out how much they owe.
Phil Campbell, Scotrail
Head of Customer Operations, said: “A minority of our customers are taking advantage of the fact that due to coronavirus restrictions we are unable to put ticket inspectors on our trains or at most of our stations.
“While most of the population is sticking to the rules, these passengers are using the cover of Covid to avoid paying for their ticket.
“Revenue on the railway is down by around 90 per cent due to the pandemic, so it’s vitally important that in order to give the best value to the taxpayer, we collect as many fares as possible.
“We have caught a number of repeat offenders and the message to anyone thinking of dodging their fare is simple. We are watching and we will catch you.”
Scotrail said that all of the passengers who have been caught so far have paid up since the alternative is prosecution which, if successful, would leave them with a criminal record.
The company said that there has also been an increase in the number of assaults, verbal or physical, on staff who ask customers to pay for their ticket.
It has held joint operations with British Transport Police to crack down on anti-social behaviour, focussing on specific areas across the network to provide additional support for Scotrail staff.
Ross Kemp will meet the UK'S own tiger kings in his latest documentary.
The actor turned documentary maker, 56, will share his "eye-opening and disturbing" journey during a two-part special for ITV.
Britain's Tiger Kings - On The Trail With Ross Kemp, which will air in the spring, will see Kemp investigate what motivates people to keep wild ani
mals, including lions, tigers, bears, crocodiles and giant snakes.
Kemp, who played hardman Grant Mitchell on Eastenders for more than 25 years, will visit a man who keeps two lions in his back garden, a couple who have used the profits from their scrap metal business to buy some 200 animals, and a former circus trainer who now trains animals for TV and film.
The show follows the success of Netflix's hugely popular Tiger King documentary series, which focused on colourful big cat breeder Joe Exotic.