I’m writing this just a few hours after the Chancellor presented his budget to a packed chamber in the Commons. The background to this budget is one of improved economic prospects as the Office for Budgetary Responsibility forecasts falling inflation and encouraging prospects for economic growth. The Prime Minister and Chancellor are delivering economic stability which improves business confidence.
So what does it mean for people in Blyth Valley? Younger families will benefit from more support for childcare costs and will receive Universal Credit childcare costs up front rather than in arrears and other changes will make childcare providers more viable.
Whether studying, working in the public or private sector, retired or unemployed we all rely on a strong business sector to pay our wages directly or underpin the support we receive from the state, so it was good to see the measures in the Budget to encourage business investment. This could help the many small businesses in Blyth Valley just as it will help the large businesses.
The Universal Support Measures for people who are disabled or the long-term sick will help get those who can back into work. Wholesale prices are falling but the extension to the Energy Price Guarantee will be welcomed by households in Blyth Valley who remain worried by these bills and seek certainty. Energy companies will no longer be allowed to charge a premium to people using prepayment meters.
Fuel duty is frozen and our pubs are being supported with lower duty on draught beers than supermarket beer. Hot on the heals of Michael Gove’s announcement of £20m more Levelling Up investment and the funding for the final phases of the Northumberland Line investment there’s money in this budget for regeneration in Ashington. South East Northumberland is a priority area for this Government.
As a PPS in the Department of Defence I know that Secretary of State Ben Wallace will be satisfied with the extra £5bn for defence and national security. I do what I can to champion support for the veterans who have given so much to our country and I’m really happy to see the support for veterans’ projects. Energy security is also important and the commitment to invest in our energy sector so we are never beholden to the likes of Putin is not only good for families in Blyth Valley but also for the businesses based here and involved in the Offshore Wind sector.
It's a good budget for Blyth Valley and a good budget for the United Kingdom.
