Douglas Ross urges Rishi Sunak to help grow Scottish economy as he unveils eight-point Budget plan

Douglas Ross has urged Rishi Sunak to help grow the Scottish economy and unveiled his eight-point UK Budget plan.

The Scottish Tory leader has written to the Chancellor setting out eight key priorities for rebuilding Scotland’s economy as he praised the UK Government funding so far as a “lifeline to many individuals and families”.

The priorities include confirmed freeport funding, a city deal funding boost, extending the £20 Universal Credit uplift and backing key infrastructure projects through the UK shared prosperity fund.

The Moray MP also stressed the importance of the whisky and fishing sectors, after a crisis that has seen many in the seafood industry forced to dump stock due to issues caused by Brexit.

Douglas Ross has urged Rishi Sunak to help grow the Scottish economy as he unveils his eight-point budget plan.

Now calling for a larger post-Brexit fishing fund, Mr Ross also asked the Chancellor to consider cutting spirits duty to counter the impact of US export tariffs.

In his letter sent January 22, he said: “Over the past ten months, the strength of the UK Treasury has supported around one million Scottish jobs, 90,000 business and provided an additional £8.6 billion [now £9.7bn] in funding for the Scottish Government.

“This backing has been crucial in supporting Scotland’s efforts to battle Covid-19, providing a lifeline to many individuals and families, and delivering a safety net for businesses the length and breadth off the country over the most difficult of years.”

Mr Ross also backed the building of zero emission buses to reduce pollution and secure jobs, as well as measures to evolve the North Sea oil and gas industry, which supports over 100,000 jobs.

He said: “The pandemic has shown us that Scotland's place in the UK has been vital in securing jobs and businesses and protecting the most vulnerable in society.

"We have benefited from almost £10bn of extra funding as well as UK-wide support schemes such as furlough.

"While the sleazy SNP rip themselves apart and plot to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK, my Budget asks are all about how best to support and grow the Scottish economy as we emerge from the pandemic.

"The Chancellor has an incredibly tough job, but I am confident he will continue to deliver for the people of Scotland."

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