“Missed opportunity” – Carmichael responds to Chancellor’s Spring Statement

Responding to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael said:

“The Spring Statement was a missed opportunity to deliver the change our communities are crying out for. 

“The Government had the chance today to kickstart growth by scrapping their jobs tax. Instead the government has chosen to inflict more pain on our small businesses – leaving communities facing the prospect of more closures on the high street. 

“This news will also be a hammer blow to GPs, pharmacies and care homes who will see their taxes hiked. That is why my party has repeatedly raised the alarm about the damage from the Employer’s National Insurance rise and fought to exempt health and care providers.

“One of the few bright spots was the government’s commitment to higher defence spending, which is absolutely essential, even if it remains counterproductive to do so by cutting the international development budget and blunting our soft power resources. I am optimistic, at least, that the boost to defence can support jobs in Scotland and ensure both our security and that of Ukraine – but there is still far more to do in terms of rebuilding economic and defence ties to our European allies and neighbours more broadly.”