“Vampire Reeves Sucking the Lifeblood Out of North East Economy” says MacAskill

Reacting to the Budget statement today (Wednesday) Alba Party Leader Kenny MacAskill said:

“This Budget is yet another kick in the teeth to the industries and workers of the North East of Scotland and represents an utter betrayal on the part of the Chancellor. Vampire Reeves is sucking the lifeblood out of the economy of the North East of Scotland.

“The UK Government through its fiscal policies and presumption against new oil licenses has created a hostile environment for the oil and gas industry.

“The decision not to immediately abolish the Energy Profits Levy will consign tens of thousands of oil and gas workers onto the scrap heap while the tinkering at the edges over new licenses for drilling would still see Rosebank undeveloped.

“Scotlands Oil still has plenty of life left in it but the Chancellor has refused to take the action required to guarantee its future while dismantling what is left of our industrial base.

“With billions of barrels of oil and gas still to be extracted from the North Sea there should be a bright future for the oil and gas industry together with a corresponding increase in carbon capture and storage to offset carbon emissions.

“Instead the Chancellor has dealt a body blow to the workers of the North Sea. This betrayal will not be forgotten by the people of the North East and I predict Labour will pay a heavy price at the Scottish Elections next year.

“This Budget confirms the reality of ‘Bankrupt Britain’ an economy in terminal decline with low growth and borrowing costs set to rise. It’s time for Scotland to head for the lifeboats and chart a new course with Independence.”