Aberdeen set to see UK Government funds for redevelopment
Today’s budget announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak brings great news for Aberdeen and Scotland. The Chancellor pledged a £4.6 billion block grant coming to Scotland, the highest settlement since devolution in 1999. On top of this Aberdeen is set to benefit from £20 million levelling up funds which will be used to invest in the city’s redevelopment.
Conservative group leader Councillor Ryan Houghton said that the “significant” funding will “help unlock the future of our city’s potential”. Speaking to GB News Douglas Lumsden MSP said that the increased funding “just shows how valuable being part of the union is to places like Aberdeen”.
Other developments included keeping Whiskey duty at the same level as before and cutting Air Passenger Duty on some domestic flights. A move that will be a huge benefit to travellers in the Northeast with the Chancellor citing Aberdeen Airport as a specific beneficiary.
Other benefits include a rise in the national living wage to £9.50 per hour for over 23s and changes to the taper rate of Universal Credit, allowing claimants to keep more of the money they earn.
Concluding his comments on GB News Douglas Lumsden MSP said:
“the pressure is now on Kate Forbes and the SNP to see what they do in their budget and see if the measures for businesses introduced by the Chancellor will be reflected there”.
- Douglas Lumsden MSP
