Politics: Spring budget will assist workers in north-east

Last week, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt MP presented his budget, with a focus on allowing people to keep more of their earnings.

Benefitting 27 million workers across the UK, the main rate of employee National Insurance Contributions (NICs) will be cut from 10 per cent to eight per cent which, further to the cut from 12 per cent in January, will mean a tax cut of more than £900 for a worker on average earnings.

Two million self-employed workers will benefit from a cut in Class 4 NICs from nine per cent to six per cent which, when combined with other tax cuts from the autumn statement, means around £650 for a self-employed person earning an average £28,000.

The decision to freeze fuel duty for another year, and extend the five per cent cut, is particularly welcome here in rural Banff and Buchan

The freeze on alcohol duty, including whisky, is a measure that supports not only the producers and jobs but also the consumers, maintaining the affordability of these world-class products.

A rise in the earnings threshold for Child Benefit and halving the rate at which it is withdrawn, will benefit half a million working parents by an average of £1260 and, by April 2026 the unfairness for single earner families will also end.

The budget also earmarked significant investment for the north-east, with Peterhead awarded £20 million as part of the UK Government’s Long Term Plan for Towns.

This funding comes in addition to £20 million levelling up funding announced for Peterhead and Macduff, and almost £10 million for the seafood industry in Peterhead and Fraserburgh from the UK Government last year.

While the extension of the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) end date from 2028 to 2029 was disappointing, I was glad to hear the Chancellor acknowledge my representations on the matter.

He agreed to a significant condition I've long advocated for: legislation ensuring that the EPL will be removed when the prices for oil and gas stabilise at a normal prices over a consistent period.

It’s also important to point out the EPL's generous investment allowances which will be maintained.

Labour’s approach by contrast would see an increase in the EPL from 75 per cent to 78 per cent, no investment allowances, no set end date, no legislation to remove the EPL early when prices return to normal and they are committed to banning new oil and gas exploration.

But at least Labour’s sector-destroying position is consistent.

SNP will say one thing to the industry and north-east voters one day, only to about-face and say the complete opposite the next to their Scottish Green Party coalition partners.

I was thrilled to be able to attend the Taste of Buchan event put on by the Higher travel and tourism class from Peterhead Academy on February 29.

Everyone involved deserves to feel really proud of the planning, preparing and delivering a fantastic showcase of local food and drink and a great opportunity for local businesses to come together and work in partnership with the school. Well done all.

And finally, it was a sad end of an era with the last service held at King Edward Parish Church at the end of February.

I was christened in that church and spent many of my Sundays there growing up in the area.

It will be a loss to the community and I hope that a positive use for the building can be found.