----------------- ----------------- |  | | Last Updated: Wednesday, 9 April, 2003, 15:48 GMT 16:48 UK |
At a glance: Scottish Budget reaction
 The chancellor raised borrowing |
Chancellor Gordon Brown has cut UK growth forecasts and raised borrowing, while hitting smokers and drinkers. Here are the main points of Scottish reaction to the Budget at a glance: STUC general secretary Bill Spiers said: "In sticking to his commitments to continue to invest in public services the chancellor has done the right thing." The Scottish National Party Westminster leader Alex Salmond claimed the chancellor ignored Scotland: "Once again, there is nothing here to turn around the low growth of the Scottish economy under successive Conservative and Labour governments. We can't wait any longer." Gerry Dowds, of the Forum of Private Business, called it a red tape nightmare: "He should have integrated national insurance and PAYE payments as employers have to do two different calculations." The Tobacco Alliance said an 8p rise on cigarettes provided a boost for criminal tobacco smugglers at the cost of small, independent shopkeepers. Anti-smoking charity ASH Scotland said: "Scotland particularly needs radical action on tobacco to reduce our world beating rates of cancer and heart disease. This Budget missed this opportunity." John Thurso, of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, gave a cautious welcome to fuel duty increases in October. The Scottish Green Party said: "While Gordon Brown has made some minor Green concessions by cutting the duty on greener alternatives to petrol, he has done nothing on the big issues." CBI Scotland director Iain McMillan believed there were moves in the right direction: "The Chancellor has accepted that his estimates for economic growth were too high and he has reduced these to more in line with CBI's forecasts." Peter Duncan, the Scottish Tories' only MP, said Labour's economic strategy was failing: "There are more promises, more excuses and more borrowing." The Scottish Grocers Federation warned the rise in cigarette duty could "play into the hands" of tobacco smugglers, and called for more resources to be given to Customs and Excise to combat the illegal trade. Hugh Morrison, chief executive of The Scotch Whisky Association, welcomed a freeze on duty for the sixth year running: "Tonight distillers will be raising a collective toast to the Chancellor for a move that will boost a major Scottish and UK industry." The Scottish Socialist Party accused the chancellor of "tinkering on the margins". Spokesman Alan McCombes said: "To address the root causes of poverty in our society, we need to bring about a fundamental redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor." Age Concern Scotland said the Budget brought mixed blessings, but welcomed an increase in winter fuel payments. The Scottish Chambers of Commerce said: "While the proposals for making it easier for small businesses to bid for public sector contracts will require further examination, it is a good signal that this problem is at least being recognised."
| | WATCH AND LISTEN BBC Scotland's David Porter
"The Budget could play a major role in the Scottish election campaign"
KEY STORIES  BUDGET CALCULATOR ASK THE EXPERT HAVE YOUR SAY WEB LINKS   Are you satisfied with Budget 2003? Yes  29.17% No  70.83% Results are indicative and may not reflect public opinion |
SEE ALSO: 
|
|
One-Minute World News 
News services
Email this to a friend 
Printable version 