Moray MP Douglas Ross: UK budget delivers for Moray
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MORAY'S Conservative MP Douglas Ross has insisted that the UK budget "delivers" for Moray, despite admitting his disappointment in a rise in Scotch whisky duty.
Forres Town Hall received a £300,000 funding boost in the budget, with £1.5 million going towards Cloddach Bridge.
Mr Ross said that the budget, therefore, delivers for local people in Moray. He said: “The Budget is one that delivers on local people’s priorities.
“There is a whole host of measures within it that provide stability for the economy going forward and support individuals and communities across the area during these challenging times.
“The continuation of the fuel duty cut as well the ongoing freeze is hugely welcome for motorists in Moray, where using a car in our rural and remote communities is not only essential, but an absolute necessity.
“Constituents who are struggling with rising bills and the cost-of-living crisis had contacted me to urge for an extension of the support provided to help them with energy bills so I welcome the chancellor confirming this will be in place for another three months.
“Coupled with further cost-of-living payments, the UK Government have shown that they are on the side of the most vulnerable people and hard-pressed families in Moray.
“I’m also delighted that £1.8 million worth of funding has been delivered to support two major projects in Moray, which will help to accelerate the reopening of the Cloddach Bridge and support plans to regenerate Forres Town Hall.
"That is evidence of the UK Government’s levelling up agenda happening right here in the local area."
Moray's SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said that the funding for local projects does not distract from the "betrayal" of the whisky industry in Moray.
“Jeremy Hunt and the UK Government have again failed to provide any substantial support to households across the country who are being forced to the brink with the cost-of-living crisis," he said.
"Wholesale energy prices have fallen but the UK Government have refused to pass this onto households by cutting energy bills and not extending the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
“While the local community will welcome the funding to repair the Cloddach Bridge, it doesn’t make up for Moray being snubbed after the £18m bid to the Levelling Up was knocked back, and it doesn’t distract from the betrayal of the whisky sector.”
