Michael Moore MP - Member of Parliament for Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk

Helping the Borders economy

Borders Liberal Democrats launch Economic Recovery Plan.

20-Jan-2009

Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Tavish Scott MSP, joined Borders MP Michael Moore and Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale MSP Jeremy Purvis to launch the Liberal Democrats’ proposals to support the Borders economy through the current economic downturn. The parliamentarians were joined by Cllr Alec Nicol at the launch of the ‘Road to Recovery’ document on Friday at Spylaw Industrial Estate, Kelso. The launch followed a visit by the politicians to Abbey Tool & Gauge, where they discussed the challenges being faced by local businesses.

The Liberal Democrats’ proposals include:

• a 2p cut in income tax, which would put an average £300 back into the pockets of local people, helping to restore consumer confidence and support local retail;

• the lowering of rural transport costs through a Rural Fuel Discount Scheme to help remote businesses that are being squeezed the most;

• the restoration of a local and dedicated Borders enterprise agency;

• immediate action to ensure that wholesale energy price reductions are passed on to businesses, and that utility companies offer flexible business billing.

The parliamentarians are also asking the Scottish Government to fully support the Abbotsford project as a key driver of cultural tourism in the Borders, to reconsider their decision not to progress the Selkirk bypass, and to bring forward the Waverley railway project.

In addition, Mr Moore and Mr Purvis believe that the UK Government must use its influence with the banks to ensure that adequate lending levels are resumed, and that arrears are not recovered until customers have been provided with a thorough financial review of their situation, and only as a last resort.

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