Local politicians have had their say on new government spending plans worth £65 billion.

 

Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his Spring Budget earlier today announcing a range of financial plans. 

 

These included: 

 

  • More coronavirus support, including an extension to the furlough scheme, the continuation of the Universal Credit uplift, and support for businesses when they re-open. 
  • No increases on income tax, national insurance or VAT, but a hike on corporation tax to 25 per cent from 2023
  • Low-deposit mortgages targeted at first-time buyers and an extension to the stamp duty holiday
  • An increase in the minimum wage to £8.91 per hour from April
  • A freeze in alcohol duty

The full list of measures can be found here.

 

Reacting to the government’s spending plans, Conservative MP for Bracknell James Sunderland said: “Today’s Budget provides businesses and families in Bracknell, Crowthorne, Finchampstead, Sandhurst and Wokingham Without with the support and reassurance they need to get through the pandemic.

“With £407 billion of [coronavirus-based] support for families, jobs and businesses [since the start of the pandemic], it is right that the Chancellor is honest with the British people about our public finances.

“At the same time, I was elected on a commitment to level up communities like ours, and I am thrilled that this Conservative Government is now making good on that promise – by building our future economy and investing in every corner of the United Kingdom”.

But Roy Bailey, the chair of the Bracknell Labour Party, took a different view.

He told the News: “Keir Starmer’s excellent and authoritative response to the budget represents my feelings exactly. 

“This was a political, rather than economically based speech from the Chancellor. 

 

“He did not address the country’s deep-rooted inequalities and the government’s long term neglect of our public services. 

 

“And the Chancellor turned his back on the green stimulus that the jobs and climate emergency is crying out for. 

 

“Neither was there any help for the millions he has excluded from financial support. Similarly, there was nothing for the fisherman, exporters and musicians crippled by the Brexit deal. No investment either in regional infrastructure.”