THE CHANCELLOR has ignored requests to help firms in Sauchiehall Street hit by fires but found money for a similar situation in Belfast.

In his budget, Phillip Hammond revealed £2 million for businesses after a fire ripped through the historic Bank Building in Belfast City Centre which housed a Primark store.

A grinning Chancellor told the Commons he was giving the cash after representations form three Belfast Democratic Unionist Party MPs.

The Conservatives depend on the DUP’s 10 MPs to give it a majority in the House of Commons and to get the budget passed.

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Glasgow MPs were appalled by the snub to Glasgow, despite Sauchiehall Street having been devastated by fires to the Victoria’s Nightclub and the School of Art this year.

The cash for Belfast has been branded a”bung” from the Tories in return for their continued backing

Firms were closed for more than three months and some like ABC 02 and Campus unable to re-open due to the damage caused.

Shops reported taking down as much as 75% when they re-opened and many fear for their survival.

The Chancellor had been asked only last month by Alison Thewliss, SNP Glasgow Central MP, for assistance for the struggling street.

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She had written and asked for investment measures for the Sauchiehall street area to aid regeneration and increase footfall for recovering businesses.

Ms Thewliss also requested VAT exemptions for those affected and in need of building repairs.

However, Mr Hammond didn’t respond and his junior minister for the tax system Mel Stride replied instead and aid he was “sorry to hear about the fires” but he couldn’t help.

Instead, the junior minister said he welcomed the Scottish Government’s fire recovery fund but offered nothing from the UK Government adding it was: “committed to continue to support small businesses across the UK.”

Ms Thewliss said: “It is extremely disappointing that the Chancellor has chosen not to award any financial support to Glasgow in the wake of the recent fires at Sauchiehall Street, but has somehow found £2m for Belfast which suffered a similar blaze earlier this year.

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“I wrote to the Chancellor on 26 September to draw his attention to this issue, asking him to consider a variety of measures, including providing a partial VAT exemption for businesses affected by the fires, or investment measures for Sauchiehall Street in general.

“To have all of these requests rebuffed is extremely frustrating and shows what little interest this government has in aiding Glasgow’s recovery.

“There’s always money for the Chancellor’s little helpers in the DUP - the Chancellor should think again and find some money to help support fire-hit businesses in Glasgow”.

David Mundell, Scottish Secretary, who visited the School of Art in the wake of the blaze in June, has come in for criticism for failing to exert any influence on the Treasury.

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He had said that it was “heartbreaking” and that he was sure the Mackintosh building would be rebuilt and that the UK Government stood ready to help. However he didn’t offer any help for the businesses in the area.

In July, Paul Sweeney, Labour Glasgow North East MP asked Mr Mundell to set up a relief fund.

Mr Mundell rejected his request and instead said it was a matter for the city council.

Mr Sweeney said: “I’m appalled that David Mundell has utterly failed to provide any extra support from the UK Government whatsoever. This really shows the Scottish Tories don’t give a damn about Glasgow.

“Another bung for the DUP but Theresa May gets the feeble 13 Scottish Tories for free.

“We need a City Deal 2 for Glasgow to address the major regeneration effort needed in the city.

“What leverage have the Scottish Tories extracted from this budget? Nothing for Glasgow.”