Last week the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced his Spring Budget with a range of measures to support the country’s continue recovery, while also promoting and encouraging economic growth.
We have faced extremely difficult times with
the cost of living and energy crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Putin’s
illegal war in Ukraine, so I was pleased to see the Chancellor’s statement
include many positive announcements for people in Mid-Cornwall.
The Budget contained a number of measures I
have long campaigned for, including reforms to childcare, further support to
help households and leisure centre operators through the energy crisis, and
more help for our veterans.
It was also good to see the Chancellor paint a
much brighter picture for our economy than many had predicted in the Autumn. It’s clear the tough measures announced last year to stabilise and protect
the economy are working and I believe it is only because of these necessary
decisions that the UK will now not enter a recession this year.
The Chancellor also announced that inflation
is set to fall by more than half, to 2.9% by the end of 2023, which is great
news as inflation is ultimately what makes everyone worse off.
However, the government knows that we are not
out of the woods yet and the measures implemented in the Autumn to balance the
books have allowed the Chancellor to not only plan a Budget that promotes
growth, but which continues to support households through cost-of-living
pressures.
The Chancellor has confirmed that the
government will continue the energy price cap meaning bills for the
average household will remain at around £2,500 per year, instead of rising to
£3,000. Rising energy costs is something I
know has worried many constituents and I, and the government, have continued to
review the situation to ensure we protect households from soaring bills. As we
now head into Spring, we will start to use less gas and electricity so
this extended help will make sure no one is left struggling.
It is also right that the cost of energy
pre-payment meters will also be brought into line with direct debit payments
meaning many households in Mid-Cornwall will now see their bills
cut.
I was also pleased, but not surprised to see
the Chancellor confirm a further £63million for swimming pools. It is right
that leisure centre operators will be provided with this additional funding to
help keep pools open in the wake of high energy costs.
This is something I have met with local
operators and the government about, and I am glad to see the government has
listened to those concerns.
I was also glad to see the government
continuing to support the pub trade with a freeze on draft beer duty and I am
sure it will be welcomed by businesses in the constituency.
As to be expected, there are those who have used
the Budget to claim the Government is doing little to help people, especially
those on low income, in light of the rising cost of living and energy crisis.
However, in reality, the total government
support over 2022-23 and 2023-24 to help households and individuals with the
rising cost of living is now over £94billion – an average of over £3,300 per
household. No other Government could, or would, have done more to support
households and businesses during these difficult times.
Now moving to another issue I am regularly
contacted about - childcare costs. As a father and grandparent myself, I
understand from my own family’s experience the burden this can place on working
parents. That is why I was pleased to see the Chancellor’s announcement on
reforms to childcare, both in terms of additional free childcare for children
under five, and increased hourly rates for nursery providers. This will make it
so much easier for families to get back to work, and also support the providers
of this essential service.
Speaking of essentials, due to our rural
locality here in Mid-Cornwall I know that many people are dependent on their
cars so I am sure they will join me in welcoming the extended freeze on fuel
duty. The Government will be extending the 5p cut in fuel duty for twelve
months and not proceed with the planned inflation increase, which will save the
average driver around £100 over the next year.
While we are on the subject of transport, the
maintenance and repair of our roads is an issue that I know many constituents
feel strongly about and so I was glad to see Cornwall will be getting another
£5million to tackle potholes from the Potholes Fund, which is being given an
additional £200million.
This is all positive news for Mid-Cornwall and
I will continue to do all I can to ensure St Austell and Newquay get their
share of what has been announced in the Budget.
If I can be of
assistance on any matter, please get in touch with my office by calling 01726
829379 or email office@stevedouble.org.uk
