Press Story

IPPR Scotland reacts to Andy Burnham's first Budget

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Scotland, Scotland's leading progressive think tank, has responded to the UK government’s Budget.

Dave Hawkey, senior research fellow at IPPR Scotland, said:

"Today's Budget has made a good start by laying out short-term measures designed to give breathing space and signalling more will be needed in future. The aim to steady the ship through the immediate storm caused by war in the Middle East is welcome.

"It is also very good that the Budget has acknowledged that the building of an energy system fit for the future is a long-term challenge. But the government needs to develop more detail on that ambition, such as establishing an energy price cap.

"Bill support of £100 for households in lower council tax bands will be welcome in England; and people in Scotland will expect the Scottish government to provide similar support using the funding it receives as a consequence.

"The new priority areas for the National Wealth Fund and British Business Bank could have a relatively large impact in Scotland given its representation in the target sectors."

ENDS

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Sukhada Tatke, media and impact officer, +447901169121, [email protected]

NOTE TO EDITORS

IPPR Scotland shapes public policy in pursuit of a fairer, greener, more prosperous Scotland.