Extra taxpayer funding should be made available to improve health and social care services in Dumfries and Galloway.
But the final decision on where new additional public money is targeted will depend on the devolved SNP-Green Scottish Government at Holyrood, stressed local MP and Scottish Secretary Alister Jack last night.
Mr Jack was commenting on the Prime Minister's announcement that there will be a 1.25 per cent rise in National Insurance and a tax on share dividends from next April followed by a separate tax on earned income the following year.
This was aimed at generating additional funds to tackle NHS backlogs and boost care as the country recovers from the Covid pandemic.
Mr Jack urged SNP Ministers to ensure the extra funding transferred to them by the UK Government is used for the purpose envisaged, including supporting vital services in rural regions like south-west Scotland.
He said: “Our new health and social care levy will provide around £1 billion extra a year for care services in Scotland, helping tackle post-Covid backlogs and ensuring that the most vulnerable people in our communities receive the support they need.
“The NHS, so precious to us all, went above and beyond during the pandemic. As a result, it is now facing huge challenges right across the UK. At the same time, all parts of the UK are facing the issue of reforming social care.
“We tackled the pandemic as one United Kingdom, and it is vital that we work on our recovery together. That includes working together to get public services in all parts of the UK back on track.”