SNP calls for delay to VAT increase

Dec 26 2010

The Scottish National Party has called for the UK Government to delay the hike in VAT next month to ensure businesses and the economy can recover from the effects of the severe winter.

Plummeting temperatures and heavy snow prevented shoppers getting to stores and staff getting to work in some parts of Scotland in the past month.

The SNP said business organisations and trade bodies had faced serious problems and it was thought the Scottish economy could lose £2 billion.