Ways and Means

Michael Gove Con

Spelthorne

Gove discussed the success of the plan for jobs, noting that unemployment is expected to be no more than 5%, down from initial forecasts. He emphasised measures such as family hubs and increased investment in child poverty reduction programmes, as well as reforms like changes to universal credit taper rates to support those on minimum wage. Additionally, he highlighted a significant increase in public spending, including the creation of new institutes of technology, expansion of British Business Bank operations, and substantial increases in research and development funding.

Tony Lloyd Lab

Manchester Central

Asked about child poverty rates in his constituency being around 60% compared to a national average below 20%, questioning whether this constitutes success under the levelling up agenda.

Yvette Cooper Lab

Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley

Asked if there will be an equivalent number of family hubs as Sure Start centres that were cut since 2010, and whether the Secretary of State regrets these losses.

Maria Eagle Lab

Liverpool Garston

Questioned about levelling up efforts for Knowsley, which has become the second most deprived area nationally. She asked what criteria are used to determine funding allocation under this programme.

Edward Davey LD

Kingston and Surbiton

Asked about the Secretary of State's planning powers in relation to protecting areas like Surrey from fossil fuel extraction, given the urgency expressed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at COP26.

Clive Betts Lab

Sheffield South East

Cited analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies indicating that the 3% increase in spending power for local councils includes funds from specified levies, effectively reducing the discretionary increase to about 1.8%.

Peter Grant

Suggested that Tory Back Benchers implied levelling-up funding would be targeted at Conservative constituencies, questioning whether this is an accurate reflection of government policy.

Liam Byrne Lab

Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North

No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.

Bob Blackman Con

Harrow East

Asked the Speaker to commit the Government to rolling out Housing First across the country, given that pilot programmes have been successful.

Lindsay Hoyle Speaker

Chorley

Noted concerns about time and requested Front Benchers to consider Back Benchers' contributions. Mentioned a five-minute limit for speeches.

Steve Reed Lab Co-op

Streatham

The MP criticised the Conservative government's budget, stating that it does not address regional inequalities and instead deepens divides. He pointed out issues such as falling wages, increased poverty, and cuts to public services in disadvantaged regions. He emphasised the need for a fairer economic model and proposed measures like devolution of power and establishment of clear levelling up indicators.

Sara Britcliffe Con

Bolton North East

In an intervention, Ms Britcliffe highlighted that Conservative-run Lancashire County Council has reopened libraries previously closed by a Labour administration.

Andrew Bowie Con

West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

Mr Bowie asked what specific cuts and investments the Labour party would make if they were in government, challenging the opposition to provide concrete proposals.

Jonathan Gullis Lab

Ealing Central and Acton

In an intervention, Mr Gullis mentioned that Kidsgrove received funding through the towns fund for refurbishing a sports centre previously closed by a Labour council.

Janet Daby Lab

Lewisham East

Ms Daby noted the significant increase in food bank usage, particularly in her constituency, highlighting that this issue was not addressed in the budget.

David Simmonds Con

Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner

Mr Simmonds asked why the Conservative party remains strong in local government despite the issues raised by Labour MPs, questioning the effectiveness of their arguments.

Richard Holden Con

Basildon and Billericay

Mr Holden questioned whether Mr Reed thinks the Government is spending too much or too little on levelling up initiatives.

Liam Fox Con

North Somerset

Conservative MP Liam Fox criticises the Labour Party's response to the Budget, arguing it lacks clarity on economic policy. He highlights increased national insurance and corporation tax as undermining Conservative tax-cutting policies and expresses concern over public spending stabilising at 41.6% of GDP from 2024-25, which he sees as a shift towards a bigger state. Fox also discusses the impact of inflation on low-income families and young people's ability to purchase homes. He suggests that the Bank of England should set a small, quick increase in interest rates to combat inflation before it spirals out of control.

Peter Grant SNP

Gordon

Describes the current Budget as a failure to address the needs of ordinary people, noting that it does not reverse previous cuts nor deliver on manifesto promises. Criticises the government's economic management during the pandemic and its handling of Brexit. Suggests the Budget benefits high earners and corporations while harming low-income individuals and small businesses.

John Penrose Con

Weston-super-Mare

Refers to the reduction in the universal credit taper rate as a significant tax cut, emphasising its importance for work incentives and levelling up. Advocates for a Nigel Lawson-esque approach towards taxation where all income is taxed equally to create fairness and economic literacy.

Margaret Hodge Lab

Barking

Critiques the Chancellor's Budget as incoherent, focusing on politics over economics. Points out issues such as rising prices, high taxes, stagnant wages, and poor economic growth under this Government compared to Labour's record. Highlights cuts to crucial early years investment and wasteful spending.

Matt Warman Con

Boston and Lincoln

Welcomed the Budget, highlighting that unemployment is down, employment is up, growth is up, wages are up, and fuel duty rises have been scrapped. Acknowledged the Chancellor's honesty in addressing tax rates and his commitment to lower taxes in the future. Praised levelling-up investments in research and development, particularly in digital infrastructure like broadband and 5G. Called for faster government action on public services digitisation to match constituents' expectations.

Edward Davey Lib Dem

Kingston and Surbiton

Critiqued the Budget's response to cost-of-living crisis, children's education loss due to covid, and climate change. Suggested a windfall tax on gas producers to help fuel-poor households and struggling industries. Emphasised missed opportunities for renewable energy development and home insulation programmes under this Government.

Bob Blackman Con

Harrow East

Welcomes measures in the Chancellor's Budget including additional funding for adult social care, housing programme for new homes and combating rough sleeping. He also highlights issues with unsafe cladding and calls for refunding Equitable Life policyholders, welcoming the tax increase on tobacco.

Clive Betts Lab

Sheffield South East

Supports the idea of levelling up but expresses concern over the lack of clarity in its definition and implementation. Asks for an overarching national strategy to tie together disparate funding streams, and suggests local councils need a simpler system without having to bid for numerous funds.

Royston Smith

Emphasises that levelling up is about opportunity rather than geography. Discusses the economic challenges faced by Southampton following the loss of manufacturing jobs and the impact of the pandemic on hospitality and retail sectors. Supports bids for levelling-up funds to create secure job opportunities.

Virendra Sharma Lab

Ealing, Southall

Sharma criticises the government's recent budget for increasing taxes to a level not seen in 70 years despite promises of a low-tax economy. He notes that household costs will increase by £3,000 due to these tax rises and points out that tax cuts are being given to profitable companies like Amazon and banks instead of helping poor families during an energy price crisis. Sharma also discusses the need for better support for small businesses and highlights issues in healthcare funding such as a shortage of nurses.

John Howell Con

Henley

Howell supports the government's commitment to levelling up but suggests specific improvements such as promoting lower-level devolution through neighbourhood plans, supporting community ownership funds for rural areas, and ensuring that permitted development rights apply equally in both urban and rural contexts. He also welcomes the £1.8 billion allocated towards housing on brownfield sites.

Maria Eagle Lab

Liverpool Garston

Eagle criticises the government's economic policy, highlighting a forecasted long-term 6% cut in GDP due to hard Brexit and austerity measures since 2010. She points out that real wages are expected to fall next year and have only risen by 2.4% overall since the financial crisis of 2008. Additionally, she notes that household taxes will increase significantly while households face rising inflation on essential goods like energy, food, and fuel.

Stephen Hammond Con

Wimbledon

This Budget contains three themes: ensuring sound public finances, delivering stronger public services, and supporting economic growth. The first theme includes new fiscal rules to ensure that debt as a percentage of GDP is falling and borrowing funds only for investment in future growth. Hammond urges the Government not to abandon these rules when inconvenient. He welcomes 40 new hospitals and changes to business rates revaluation. Hammond also applauds the net zero strategy, issuance of green bonds, and incentives for renewable growth. However, he warns that higher debt can lead to inflation and higher interest rate costs, affecting the poorest in society. To avoid a low-growth economy, Hammond supports tax relief for creative industries, investment in infrastructure, research and development spending, and calls for deregulation to support business success. He concludes by stressing that levelling up must not mean levelling down elsewhere.

Mike Kane Lab

Wythenshawe and Sale East

Kane criticises the lack of support for aviation communities, noting Manchester Airport's significant decline in passengers due to the pandemic. He highlights regeneration opportunities championed by local Labour authorities in Greater Manchester, including a £1 billion business campus that could create 10,000 jobs and plans for a MediPark at Wythenshawe Hospital with substantial health innovation businesses. Kane urges Government support to unlock funding solutions for these projects. He also calls for the HS2 station at Manchester Airport and platforms 15 and 16 in Manchester to ensure effective train services across the north. Kane notes anaemic medium-term growth forecasts from the OBR and criticises Conservative cuts since 2010, calling on the Government to work with authorities across the north to deliver economic and social benefits.

Jonathan Gullis Con

Stoke-on-Trent North

Celebrates the levelling-up fund regeneration bids for Stoke-on-Trent, mentioning £56 million in total. He discusses specific projects such as city centre regeneration zone with £20 million, Goods Yard site funding to unlock private investment, and heritage high streets project covering Longton, Spode, Tunstall, Kidsgrove and Talke. Gullis also talks about support for restoring railway services on the Stoke to Leek line and the national living wage increase. He highlights business rates reduction for hospitality, retail, and leisure sectors, as well as increased universal credit taper rate to make work pay.

Dan Jarvis Lab

Barnsley North

Critiques the lack of a clear definition and measurable goals in the Government’s levelling-up strategy. He emphasises the need for investment, a plan, and decentralization to address regional inequality in the north. Jarvis mentions specific projects in South Yorkshire like an ownership hub supporting worker buy-outs and co-ops, climate action plans, and innovative working programmes. He criticises the recent Budget for not delivering on levelling-up promises, citing underfunded transport schemes and disappointment over the rejection of a mayoral combined authority proposal.

Peter Aldous Con

Waveney

Acknowledges positive aspects of the Budget from an East Anglian perspective but highlights remaining work to be done. He mentions ongoing infrastructure projects like Gull Wing bridge and Lowestoft flood defence scheme, as well as nuclear project funding for Sizewell C. Aldous emphasises the importance of investing in people’s skills and education recovery funds while expressing concerns over lack of support for level 1 and 2 qualifications. He also notes disappointment with the rejection of a regional fund proposal by New Anglia local enterprise partnership and concerns regarding investment in research, development, and innovation outside London, South East, and the east of England.

Judith Cummins Lab

Bradford South

Expressed disappointment over the lack of progress on Northern Powerhouse Rail, emphasising the need for investment in rail infrastructure to support economic development and sustainable travel. She called for a rebalancing of transport spending towards northern cities.

Neil Parish

Welcomed the Chancellor’s Budget statement, highlighting positive measures such as reduced duty on cider, business rate cuts for pubs and small businesses, additional funding for public services, and levelling-up infrastructure projects. He also supported the commitment to foreign aid spending.

Ronnie Cowan

Critiqued the concept of 'levelling up', arguing it is necessary due to long-standing neglect in deprived areas like Inverclyde, which has suffered from economic decline and poor living conditions. He called for funding to go to those most in need.

Scott Benton Con

Blackpool South

Congratulates the Chancellor on a Budget that demonstrates significant changes in the Conservative party's commitment to social issues. Highlights £44 billion increase for NHS funding, upgrades to local health services, and increased investment in education for disadvantaged areas like Blackpool. Emphasises the 6.6% rise in national living wage and reduction of the universal credit taper rate, benefiting low-income families.

Stephanie Peacock Lab

Barnsley South

Critiques the Budget for failing to address the needs of working families in Barnsley. Points out that spending on education is back to 2010 levels, with one quarter of children living in poverty and local services devastated by austerity cuts. Notes rejected levelling-up applications and breached promises regarding miners' pensions, highlighting a lack of support for coalfield economies.

Derek Thomas Con

St Ives

Highlights the Chancellor's Budget as beneficial for his constituents in Cornwall and Scilly. Mentions funding for the sea link between Penzance and Scilly, securing investment from levelling-up funds, shared prosperity funding for Cornwall, and support for initiatives like 'first 1000 days' and family hubs. Acknowledges positive changes such as business rate cuts, VAT adjustments for retail and hospitality, increased lower-rate income tax threshold, and national living wage rise.

Kim Leadbeater Lab

Spen Valley

Expressed scepticism towards the Budget's impact on levelling up, highlighting concerns over road repairs, high street investment, and lack of amenities for young people. Stressed the need for multi-year funding settlement and pointed out that education funding is at 2010 levels. Also mentioned a survey showing public concern about opportunities for young people.

Rob Roberts

Defended the Budget's impact on Wales, noting £18 billion annual funding to level up local communities and support infrastructure improvements in Delyn through the levelling up fund. Mentioned housing shortages and argued that the Welsh Government receives more per capita than England, challenging Labour's critique.

Diana R. Johnson Lab

Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham

Critiqued the Budget as worsening economic conditions for working poor through regressive taxes like national insurance and council tax. Highlighted that Hull has yet to see transformative actions despite promises of levelling up, pointing out insufficient funding allocations and delayed infrastructure projects.

Sally-Ann Hart Con

Hastings of Rye

Welcomes the Budget's investment in people, families, education and skills, and jobs for combating poverty and levelling up. Highlights Hastings' success with £24.3 million from towns fund bid and recommends considering Professor Chris Whitty’s report on health disparities in coastal communities. Emphasises the importance of well-paid jobs and supports reducing the taper rate to 55% for Universal Credit. Welcomes rise in national living wage and investment in education and skills, including the new numeracy programme.

Liam Byrne Lab

Birmingham Hodge Hill

Critiques the lack of a growth strategy in the Budget, citing negative forecasts by IMF and OBR. Points out deferred science spending, reduced trade forecast due to red-tape Brexit, increased taxes affecting ordinary working people, and flat living standards. Highlights that social mobility has worsened under Conservative government, with it now taking five generations for someone born into poverty to achieve average wages. Criticises the settlement for the west midlands as one of the worst in the country.

Luke Evans Con

Hinckley and Bosworth

Explains levelling up through examples from his constituency, including green jobs, investments by REE, Britishvolt, Amazon, Midlands Engine Investment Fund, bounce back loans for businesses, improvements to infrastructure like the A5 road, Hinckley Academy, Leicestershire broadband, rail projects, healthcare funding, and tourism. Mentions furlough support during pandemic and new police officers. Highlights tangible evidence of levelling up in his constituency.

Tony Lloyd Lab

Rochdale

The Budget did nothing to address the environment and instead decreased air passenger duty and fuel duty without investing in heat pumps or insulation. The Chancellor cut bankers' tax by £15 billion, which could have been better spent on universal credit recipients. In Rochdale's poorest wards, 60% of children live in poverty. Public servants are worse off today than they were in 2010 due to pay restraint. We need long-term investment in health and education to address productivity issues and inequality.

James Davies Con

Montgomeryshire

The Government provided unprecedented assistance during the pandemic, with growth forecast at 6.5% for 2021 and peak unemployment reaching only 5.2%, down from predicted levels. The Budget includes long-term commitments to support north Wales through transport projects, levelling-up fund allocations, improved broadband connections, universal credit taper rate reduction, increase in the national living wage, end of public sector pay freeze, Multiply programme for numeracy skills development, and funding for 20,000 new police officers.

Siobhain McDonagh Lab

Mitcham and Morden

The Budget delivers high taxes and low growth. The national insurance hike will cost care workers £140 a year, nurses £310, and paramedics £420. Banks are set to save £4 billion in taxes by 2027 while record profits continue. The cost of living is rising at its fastest rate for 30 years. Universal credit was slashed despite soaring energy bills for the poorest people. Connectivity issues and digital divides were barely addressed. School catch-up funds provide only £310 per pupil, far short of what is needed. This Government asks the poorest to celebrate small wage increases while taking away more money through higher taxes.

Jack Lopresti Con

Filton and Bradley Stoke

The Government's Budget initiatives are thoroughly addressing aspects of people’s lives by implementing measures that contribute to equality of opportunity, health and wellbeing. These include £11.5 billion for affordable housing and the 95% mortgage guarantee scheme for first-time buyers with a deposit requirement of just 5%. Additionally, there is an investment in reducing rough sleeping with additional funding of £640 million a year representing an 85% increase compared to 2019. Furthermore, the Chancellor announced a £300-million locally led grant funding and a £1.5 billion regeneration fund to improve transport links and community facilities.

Steve McCabe Lab

Birmingham Selly Oak

The Government's initiatives are not addressing the childcare crisis, disproportionately penalising women, ignoring excluded self-employed individuals, and punishing those working hard with national insurance increases, council tax rises, unaffordable mortgages, shortages and higher food bills. The economy is facing terminal decline due to high inflation, rising taxes, low growth, falling living standards, and crumbling public services.

Douglas Ross Con

Ochil and South Perthshire

The SNP's criticism of the Budget lacks coherence and credibility. The Government has delivered £600 million additional funding to the Scottish Government this year and an additional £4.6 billion for each of the next three years, making it the most generous settlement since devolution in 1999. There is also a proposal from SNP members to tax Scotch whisky even more, while the current UK Government has frozen taxation on Scotch whisky for five successive Budgets.

Yvette Cooper Lab

Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley

The Government's choices have led to a decade of weak growth in national income, productivity, and real wages. The OBR forecasts low future growth rates which will hit public services and living standards. There is also lack of funding for children’s education with cuts to school budgets that could affect productivity for years. We need investment in regional economies, jobs of the future, climate change mitigation, and tackling environmental challenges highlighted at COP26.

Taiwo Owatemi Lab

Coventry North West

A survey shows that three quarters of constituents have flatlined or fallen wages in two years with main concern being the spike in gas and electricity bills. A solution is to cut VAT on gas and electricity from 5% to 0%. This measure is missing from the Chancellor’s Budget.

Gagan Mohindra Con

South West Hertfordshire

The Chancellor's announcements are excellent, supporting businesses through cuts in business rates and investment in infrastructure. The £7 billion reduction in business rates will promote investment and help the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors recover from pandemic hardships. Simplifying alcohol duties is beneficial for British drinks manufacturers and pubs. Investing in transport connects regions better and improves productivity. Road improvements will be welcomed by constituents, particularly those relying on local roads to connect with larger towns and cities.

Jack Dromey Lab

Erdington

Dromey criticised the Government's Budget, stating it failed to deliver on promises for levelling up. He highlighted the disparity in life expectancy between Erdington and Sutton Coldfield as an example of economic inequality. Despite a strong local bid for funding from the levelling-up fund, Dromey noted that Erdington was denied financial support despite being one of the most deprived areas. He also pointed out that 42% of children in Birmingham are living in poverty and criticised the Government's claim of creating an era of optimism while failing to address economic challenges and unfairness.

Richard Holden Con

Basildon and Billericay

Holden praised the Chancellor and the levelling-up Secretary for their work, emphasising the context of financial management during the pandemic. He criticised Opposition Members for wanting increased spending without addressing tax implications or borrowing costs. He highlighted reductions in taper rates for working people as a positive achievement and defended the Conservative party's approach to unemployment reduction compared to Labour's record. Holden also acknowledged specific levelling-up initiatives benefiting his constituency.

David Linden Lab

Easterhouse

Welcomed the reduction in the universal credit taper rate and increase in work allowance, but emphasised that wider reform of universal credit is still needed. Also welcomed the freeze on duty for Scotch whisky to help local jobs but criticised it as only providing 'breathing room' without substantial relief given the current challenges facing the industry.

Robin Millar Con

Aberconwy

Praised the Chancellor's Budget, highlighting positive impacts like small producer relief and investment in research and development. Criticised Labour's track record on devolution, inward investment, and job creation in Wales compared to Conservative governance.

Kerry McCarthy Lab

Bristol East

Critiqued the Chancellor for failing to address climate change adequately while cutting air passenger duty. Expressed concern about increased tax burden on households and council taxpayers, highlighting cuts in universal credit and national insurance rises. Raised issues regarding education funding and Sure Start centres closures. Welcomed an £1.8 billion fund for developing brownfield land but urged a rethink of draught duty relief threshold to benefit small breweries and cider producers.

Robbie Moore Con

Keighley and Ilkley

Critiqued the Scottish Government's education performance, highlighted the Chancellor’s support for businesses during the pandemic, emphasised tax cuts and business rate relief for small businesses, and praised the Government’s skills agenda and investment in Keighley.

Cat Smith Lab

Lancaster and Wyre

Focused on youth work funding cuts, criticised the Chancellor's announcement of a £560 million investment as misleading due to prior unspent funds and inclusion of National Citizen Service funding, argued that the Budget contains a £450 million cut to youth services.

Alexander Stafford

Emphasised the importance of levelling up in his constituency, highlighted successful bids for the levelling-up fund, praised investments in Maltby Academy and Rother Valley Country Park, and called for further support for high streets like Dinnington.

Ian Lavery Lab

Blyth and Ashington

Mr. Lavery criticises the Government's levelling up agenda, stating it is nothing but rhetoric while families struggle with rising costs and health issues due to austerity measures. He highlights stark inequalities in child poverty rates between his constituency and those represented by Conservative MPs, and questions if the disparity in public funding per pupil in different regions qualifies as 'levelling up'. Mr. Lavery holds the Government responsible for holding back communities through their policies.

Jo Gideon

Ms. Gideon speaks positively about the investment in Stoke-on-Trent, highlighting £56 million of levelling-up funding which she sees as crucial for the city's economic transformation and addressing challenges like subsidence and water management issues due to industrial history. She also advocates for Government support in transport infrastructure and community development through localised initiatives funded by the shared prosperity fund.

Chris Stephens

Mr. Stephens focuses on public sector pay, arguing that the Chancellor's promises of a fair pay rise are insufficient given the lack of clarity around actual funding for civil servants' salaries. He criticises the Government's failure to address overpayment of pension contributions and inflation-induced real-terms pay cuts. Mr. Stephens calls for clear commitments from the Government to reward public sector workers for their continued support during economic challenges.

Jack Brereton Con

Stoke-on-Trent North

The Budget will deliver a stronger economy for the British people, particularly in Stoke-on-Trent. This includes £56 million for levelling-up schemes and £40 million from the transforming cities fund to improve local transport infrastructure. Brereton highlights improvements such as modern apartments at Tams Crown Pottery and the refurbishment of Longton station. He emphasises the importance of connectivity and regeneration in Stoke-on-Trent, and discusses plans to reopen the Stoke-Leek line.

Ruth Cadbury Lab

Brentford and Isleworth

This Budget comes on the back of a lost decade for many constituents. Ruth Cadbury focuses on further education funding cuts, noting that per-student funding at West Thames College has not increased in 14 years. She criticises the Government's levelling-up rhetoric and austerity measures, highlighting how they impact FE colleges and sixth forms across the country. Cadbury also discusses the replacement of BTECs with T-levels, which she argues disproportionately affects disadvantaged students.

Miriam Cates

This Government were elected on a mandate to unite and level up, and for her constituents in Penistone and Stocksbridge this Budget will begin to close the gap. Miriam Cates welcomes the £50,000 awarded to explore restoring rail services between Sheffield and Stocksbridge, which could reduce journey times significantly. She also highlights the importance of skills development and family support as crucial elements for levelling up. The Budget's investment in early years education and parenting skills is particularly welcomed.

Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem

North East Fife

Emphasised the importance of social security and levelling up beyond geography, highlighting issues with universal credit and conditionality requirements for those with childcare responsibilities. Criticised the Government's Budget for not adequately addressing the needs of vulnerable groups such as carers, single parents, and young homeless people.

Andrew Bowie Con

West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

Supported the Chancellor’s Budget, highlighting investments in Scotland including levelling-up fund, air passenger duty cut, spirits duty freeze, fuel duty freeze, and national living wage increase. Called for better spending of the largest ever block grant to the Scottish Government and urged for improvements in education and infrastructure.

Matt Western Lab

Warwick and Leamington

The Chancellor's focus on his own image has overshadowed economic recovery, with growth rates at 1.3% compared to the previous Labour Government's 2.3%. Vehicle manufacturing is down by 42%, food inflation rising, and there are energy crises leading to potential energy poverty. The Government could have capped VAT but chose not to, leaving communities and businesses struggling. Education funding has fallen short of required levels and higher education support is lacking. There’s no mention of addressing climate change or achieving carbon budgets. Labour would provide comprehensive support in areas like children's education and environmental protection.

David Simmonds Con

Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner

The Conservative stance involves taking difficult decisions for long-term community benefits, including raising taxes to balance the books. The Budget includes welcome announcements regarding child poverty and resettling refugees from Afghanistan. Family hubs and additional youth services are steps forward in addressing child poverty, though challenges persist beyond age five. Local government is seen as efficient and trusted to deliver necessary support using funds provided by the Government.

Tan Dhesi Lab

Slough

The debate highlights confusion over what 'levelling up' means, with much of the Chancellor’s Budget aimed at repairing damage done since 2010. Slough council's budget has seen a staggering 53.8% real-terms cut since the Conservatives took power. The £20 cut in universal credit will disproportionately affect poor families and those with disabilities. No guarantee was given for long-term investment in UK railways, missing opportunities to invest in rail infrastructure crucial for economic recovery and green energy transitions.

Liz Saville-Roberts PC

Dwyfor Meirionnydd

Critiques the Government’s commitment to levelling up Wales, highlighting regional inequality in investment, income, opportunity, and life expectancy. She points out that Gwynedd received no levelling-up funding despite lower productivity and earnings compared to London.

Peter Gibson Con

Darlington

Welcomes the establishment of the Darlington economic campus as an example of levelling up policy, highlighting investment in transport infrastructure, freeport development, and other initiatives for Darlington and Teesside, while urging continued efforts to improve secondary education.

Janet Daby Lab

Lewisham East

The Chancellor's Budget fails to address the priorities of everyday people living in Lewisham East, such as poverty reduction and climate action. The Government has not made commitments to tackle these issues despite hosting COP26. There is a lack of support for green industries, small businesses, and vulnerable migrants seeking asylum. Additionally, there are inadequate measures for affordable housing.

Patricia Gibson

The Budget fails to deliver economic optimism for the majority in North Ayrshire and Arran constituency due to rising taxes, inflation, and cuts to universal credit. It also fails to provide adequate support for Scottish businesses and pensioners living in poverty. The abandonment of the pensions triple lock will leave many worse off. There is no levelling up for those unable to work due to disability or illness.

Helen Hayes Lab

Dulwich and West Norwood

The Budget falls short in addressing climate change, adult social care reform, and education funding issues. It does not provide substantive support for decarbonising homes, retrofitting, or fair taxation. The levelling up concept lacks coherence and often involves cutting funding from deprived communities to politically expedient areas. London schools have suffered the worst cuts under Tory government.

Beth Winter Lab

Cynon Valley

I held three climate assemblies in my constituency and sent our manifesto to the COP26 President. Cynon Valley, an old mining community suffering from high poverty and ill health, is anxious about being left behind as the planet is future-proofed. The Welsh Government’s budget for 2024-25 will be nearly £3 billion lower than if it had increased in line with the economy since 2010-11. Losing EU structural funds without adequate replacement and bypassing the Welsh Government undermines communities like Cynon Valley. A universal credit top-up withdrawal has been devastating for my constituents. We need to reverse austerity's effects, reduce inequalities by introducing a wealth tax, invest in developing a green new deal, renew public services, and address climate issues such as HS2 investment losses.

Tim Farron Lib Dem

Westmorland and Lonsdale

I have been able to hear thoughtful contributions from Members. The Budget did not address the unique difficulties of rural Britain. There is a housing crisis in rural areas like Cumbria, with 50% to 90% second homes leading to community decline and loss of local services. During covid, up to 80% of house sales were for second homes; I propose doubling council tax for second homeowners and changing planning laws to ensure holiday lets do not displace locals. The hospital improvement programme will negatively impact rural areas with long travel times to A&E departments. Dentistry issues also affect remote communities due to lack of local NHS dentists. Farmers face significant income drops under the new environmental land management schemes, further undermining rural Britain.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab

Clapham and Brixton Hill

The Budget is seen as harmful to the majority, particularly those reliant on state pensions, universal credit recipients, workers, disabled people, and children. The Chancellor's tax changes mean an average household will pay £3,000 more per year by 2026. Women are disproportionately affected, with a gender audit showing that 27 million women would be worse off, losing an average of £1,800 over six years due to the Chancellor’s tax rises and pension benefits reduced by £2,500 for older individuals. The public expects their finances and the economy to deteriorate, indicating lack of confidence in the Budget.

Lucy Powell Lab Co-op

Manchester Central

The Budget fails to address critical issues such as economic growth, inflation, interest rates, green investment, educational inequalities, transport infrastructure, housing crises, and renter hardships. It also neglects social housing reforms, affordable housing targets, homelessness support, stamp duty relief for first-time buyers, and renter income gaps.

Several hon. Members

Multiple interventions from Labour MPs questioning the effectiveness and distribution of levelling-up funds, challenging the government's commitment to levelling up.

Nigel Evans

Acknowledged 65 contributions from Back Benchers during the debate, noting it as a record for a Budget resolutions debate.

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