Tory Minister blasts personal Government’s Budget simply half-hour after introduced

A Tory Minister has hit out at his personal Government’s Budget simply half-hour after it was unveiled by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

Energy and Net Zero Minister Andrew Bowie mentioned it was “deeply disappointing” that an extension of the windfall tax on oil and gasoline had been included within the Spring Budget. Mr Bowie, who’s MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, mentioned he was working with Scottish Tory chief Douglas Ross to resolve the extension of the Energy Profits Levy (EPL), which fees oil and gasoline firms an additional 35% tax on the cash they make within the UK.

In a press release on X/Twitter, Mr Bowie mentioned: “I agree with Douglas. There is much in this budget to welcome. Much that is good for Scotland and our United Kingdom. And only the Conservatives have a plan. However, the extension of the EPL is deeply disappointing. I will be working with him to resolve this.”

Shadow Scotland Secretary Ian Murray hit out at Mr Bowie’s response: “A Government minister railing against his governments budget. The ink isn’t even dry and it’s falling apart.”

Mr Ross, who additionally mentioned he was mentioned he’s “deeply disappointed” on the extension of the windfall tax, was reportedly “talked down” from quitting over the choice to incorporate it within the Budget. In a “heated” dialogue on Monday night, he warned Mr Sunak the transfer would lose them votes in Scotland. Mr Ross was persuaded to not give up by Scottish Secretary Alister Jack however mentioned he would publicly criticise the transfer after the Budget was introduced, in accordance with the Telegraph.

Mr Ross, who additionally serves as an MP for Moray, had additionally urged the Chancellor to not lengthen the levy. Despite opposition from the Scottish Conservatives, Mr Hunt introduced windfall tax on oil and gasoline corporations has been prolonged by 12 months in his Budget. The 35% surcharge on income as a result of excessive power costs had been scheduled to finish in March 2028.

In a press release after the Budget was specified by the Commons, Mr Ross mentioned: “While I accept the Chancellor had some tough decisions to make, I’m deeply disappointed by his decision to extend the windfall tax for a further year. The SNP and Labour have deserted 100,000 Scottish staff by calling for the faucets within the North Sea to be turned off now.

“Although the UK Government rightly oppose this reckless coverage – and have granted new licences for continued manufacturing within the North Sea – the funds announcement is a step within the improper path. As such, I can’t vote for the separate laws wanted to go the windfall tax extension and can proceed to induce the Chancellor to rethink.”

The Energy Profits Levy (EPL) was launched by Rishi Sunak when he was Chancellor in May 2022.