Budget 2020: How will coronavirus crisis spending plan affect Kent
Published: 16:36, 11 March 2020
Updated: 17:43, 11 March 2020
It was a budget that was dominated by the coronavirus crisis but had plenty of other spending commitments. Political editor Paul Francis has a look at what it means for Kent.
Freeze on fuel duty
"Rishi is hailed with a huge sigh of relief, by our 1.7 million supporters, motorists, motorcyclists, van drivers and hauliers. But to all the anti-internal combustion engine over-reported voices, even with this freeze, UK drivers remain the highest taxed in the world."
That's Howard Cox of the Fair Fuel Campaign's take.
Paul’s verdict: A no-brainer decision; especially with Kent backbenchers Tracey Crouch and Craig Mackinlay among those firing a warning shot not to lift the freeze.
A £30bn fiscal fund to help businesses through the 'corona crisis'
“Business will be keen to know how this will be funded. Will it come from the additional £4.4 billion HMRC will be seeking from tax anti avoidance in the future? With such significant spending on the corona crisis along with the ‘levelling up’ pledges from the manifesto there must be a claw-back somewhere?” — Nick Paterno, managing partner at Maidstone’s McBrides Chartered Accountants.
Paul’s verdict: A bigger slice of money than might have been expected; small businesses in Kent should be encouraged by schemes for business rate relief and access to emergency loans.
A £5bn emergency response fund for the NHS to deal with coronavirus
Paul’s verdict: Sounds a lot but will it go far enough if the crisis is prolonged and we move to an epidemic with the number of people unable to work potentially stretching hospitals and GPs to their limits?
A £6bn injection in the NHS to fund 40 ‘new’ hospitals
Paul’s verdict: After the controversy during the election campaign over Conservative pledges for a new hospital for Canterbury, this might offer a glimmer of hope to those who are pushing for a new “blue light” A&E hospital.
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Paul Francis