Commenting on today’s UK Budget, Dr Marie Macklin CBE said: 

“The fact the Budget was effectively published by the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) before it was delivered by the Chancellor is utterly extraordinary and unprecedented, and must be the subject of a full leak inquiry and investigation.

“However, the drama around the leak should not be allowed to overshadow the measures in the Budget and what they say about the state of the UK economy.

“Overall, the Chancellor’s statement reflects the fragility of the economy and the Budget lacks the measures needed to truly transform prospects for growth. That is underlined by the fact that the OBR’s long-term growth forecasts have been downgraded.

“And while the Chancellor made much of efforts to address the cost of living crisis, such as measures to cut household energy bills by slashing green levies, the reality is that for many people this Budget will not lead to an easing of financial pressures for ordinary families.

“The proof of that lies in the fact that the overall tax burden is now forecast to have risen to an all-time high of 38 per cent of GDP by 2030.  The freezing of income tax bands will simply add to that burden.

“It is welcome that the UK Government is signalling a relaxation of the rules around exploration for North Sea oil and gas. It makes no sense to cut ourselves off from using our own resources whilst importing fossil fuels from elsewhere.

“But it is deeply disappointing that the Budget has failed to see the scrapping of the Energy Profits Levy – a so-called windfall tax that has proved devastating for a hugely important part of Scotland’s economy, costing thousands of jobs.

“What is urgently needed are measures to kickstart bottom-up economic growth which can drive opportunity for the long-term, bringing jobs, hope and a brighter future for people and communities.

“That means we need more focus on infrastructure investment for a just transition and for industrial facilities like Grangemouth and Mossmorran here in Scotland, not sticking plaster solutions.

“Overall, this is a missed opportunity which underlines the fundamental weakness of the UK economy and which does not do enough either to promote business, growth and investment, or to address the cost of living crisis being felt by so many.

“Bluntly, this was a ‘Stand and Deliver’ Budget that  would leave Dick Turpin in the shade – one where SME businesses, ordinary workers, pensioners and young people will all pay the price.”