As we come to the end of the budget resolutions, Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus B MacNeil has been praised for lobbying the Chancellor of the Exchequer in two main areas of budget change. Namely, a freeze of the Climate Change Levy (CCL) rates for LPG industry -and extending the Save-As-You-Earn Scheme ‘holiday’ entitlement from a 6 to 12 month holiday period.

Isles MP Angus MacNeil raised both of these issues with the Chancellor prior to the budget.

UKLPG, Calor and Autogas Ltd have written to Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP Angus MacNeil following the budget to thank him for his support and work in urging HM Treasury to reconsider proposals from the 2016 budget which would have meant increases between 300 and 600% in a 10 year period on Climate Change levy (CCL) main rates for gas and electricity.

Similarly, following a meeting with Proshare, Angus MacNeil wrote to the Treasury regarding the Save-As-You-Earn Scheme, urging the Government to rethink the ‘holiday’ entitlement factor of the scheme.

The payment ‘holiday’ can be taken by participating employees for any reason but is commonly taken up by employees on maternity leave, therefore extending the ‘holiday’ entitlement for SAYE to be extended so that it aligns with the entitlement of maternity pay of 12 months allows many people, particularly women, the chance to remain within the scheme. Following the announcement at the budget that the scheme would be extended, Proshare wrote to Angus MacNeil to thank him for his work in pursuing the issue with the Treasury.

 

Commenting Angus MacNeil MP said:

“The current Save-As-You-Earn Scheme allows for a 6 month payment holiday period from the scheme. I am pleased to see that following the budget, employees on maternity and parental leave will be able to take up to 12 months from saving into their Save-As-You-Earn employee share scheme.

“The potential increases in the Climate Change levy would have stifled Scotland’s decarbonisation efforts in key rural industry sectors. However, I am pleased to see that the Chancellor has reconsidered these increases and it will be welcomed news to businesses.”

ENDS