Ways and Means - Budget Resolutions and Economic SituationWays and Means

David Davis Con

Goole and Pocklington

Mr David Davis raised a point of order regarding the absence of an amendment of the law resolution since Philip Hammond’s Finance Bill 2017, arguing that this restricts Members' ability to effectively amend the Finance Bill. He questioned how the House can recover its rights over amending the Finance Bill.

Theresa May Con

Maidenhead

Acknowledges the importance of health staff and the vaccination programme. Commends the creation of a new vaccine centre and medicines manufacturing centre as part of the life sciences deals enabled by the modern industrial strategy.

Greg Clark Con

Tunbridge Wells

Questions why it is thought appropriate to abolish the existing industrial strategy, suggesting that having a plan, such as the battery manufacturing innovation centre and Faraday challenge, is better than no plan.

Ed Miliband Lab

Doncaster North

Miliband discusses the need for a comprehensive industrial policy, highlighting missed opportunities in green manufacturing and home insulation initiatives. He criticises the government's approach to business support, emphasising the importance of addressing regional inequalities and the urgent need for investment in public services such as health care.

Theresa May Con

Walthamstow

Commends the Chancellor for recognising the need to support people in jobs and restore public finances. Highlights specific issues such as funding for tackling domestic abuse, focusing on perpetrator programmes; challenges faced by women due to lockdown measures, urging the Government to encourage female entrepreneurs; impact of pandemic on young people and hospitality sector; concern over OBR forecast predicting a lower growth rate than pre-financial crisis levels; calls for action on R&D tax credits rather than consultations; emphasises importance of human capital investment in skills, infrastructure, and innovation economy.

Peter Grant SNP

Scotland

I commend the Minister for mentioning Brexit but criticise the Chancellor's Budget speech for lacking substance and failing to address key economic challenges. The speech was full of platitudes and did not provide sufficient support for families in poverty, small businesses, or sectors like aviation and retail which are facing existential threats due to the pandemic. The lack of a clear vision for these industries is concerning. Additionally, there is no indication that the Government cares about supporting millions of self-employed individuals who have been abandoned despite their crucial role in driving recovery.

Darren Jones Lab

Bristol North West

Critiques the lack of long-term economic growth plans that would meet net zero transition requirements and benefit all communities and businesses. Points out the cancellation of the industrial strategy without proper explanation, criticises insufficient funding for the national infrastructure bank, and highlights inadequate infrastructure spending towards net-zero commitments. Raises concerns about job losses and insufficiency in skills programmes to address unemployment challenges. Emphasises the adaptability of British people during the pandemic but argues that the Budget lacks a bold vision for post-covid recovery.

Mark Menzies Con

Lancashire

Welcomed the Budget and highlighted significant infrastructure investments in Lancashire, including various road projects, education initiatives, and support for enterprise zones. Emphasised the importance of nuclear fuel manufacturing and aerospace industries to local employment.

Edward Davey Lib Dem

Kingston and Surbiton

Critiqued the Budget for failing small businesses, NHS staff, and future generations on climate change. Opposed tax rises affecting low-income earners and a 1% pay rise for NHS workers, arguing it is deeply unfair. Stressed negative impacts of EU trade deal and called for a fairer, greener approach.

Liz Kendall Lab

Leicester West

Called for urgent social care reform due to the economic impact on jobs, productivity, and public finances. Highlighted demographic changes requiring more care workers and emphasised how investment in care could boost employment and growth across the country.

Damien Moore Con

Southport

Welcomed the Chancellor's support for businesses during the pandemic, especially through furlough schemes. Highlighted extensions to VAT cuts and business rates holidays as beneficial measures for Southport's hospitality sector. Noted £37.5 million town deal investment set to revitalise Lord Street and boost local economy.

Virendra Sharma Lab

Ealing North

The Chancellor’s lack of support for the NHS is endangering its financial stability. Frontline workers deserve a substantial pay rise, not just 1%. The 'Shaping a Healthier Future' programme led to Ealing Hospital losing A&E services and in-patient paediatric care. The Government must properly fund social care and level up areas like mine.

Siobhan Baillie Con

Stroud

The Budget supports people, fixes public finances, and looks to the future. Furlough has saved many businesses in Stroud. The Government's investment in further education, green apprenticeships, and community ownership funds is welcome. There should be more support for leisure and health sector businesses that have struggled during the pandemic.

Marion Fellows SNP

West Dunbartonshire

The Chancellor’s Budget will continue Tory austerity for those on low incomes, especially disabled people. The £20 uplift to universal credit will end in six months, leaving many worse off and facing a long wait for payments. Disabled people face ongoing costs and need support to protect their standard of living.

Damian Green Con

Ashford

The Chancellor has passed the first test with an intact Budget. Long-term success will depend on improving productivity. The Government must focus on levelling up through traditional infrastructure spending and investment in human capital, including vocational skills and practical education.

Holly Mumby-Croft Con

Scunthorpe

The Chancellor’s Budget announcement committing a further £21 million to Scunthorpe via the towns fund is particularly welcome, alongside over £10 million of Government investment in the high street. The budget also recognised businesses in Scunthorpe and provided certainty through measures like the kickstart scheme. She emphasised the importance of a new Humber freeport, which will create jobs and investment.

Andrea Leadsom Con

South Northamptonshire

Full of praise for the Chancellor’s work to protect jobs and businesses as they emerge from lockdown. Urges greater focus on the prospects for a green economy, given that the UK is at the forefront of developing green technologies and has more than 450,000 people in the green collar workforce. Suggests three specific ideas for COP26: yearbook to record achievements, ambitious bilateral commitments to decarbonisation by 2030, and a global green investment bank.

Barry Sheerman Lab

Huddersfield

His constituents want good jobs on good pay, a good health service, a good education service, a clean environment, and a modernised welfare state. The Budget should have addressed severe deficiencies in the welfare state and NHS, which has been systematically cut since 2010. He also calls for action on climate change given the country's capacity in science, technology, manufacturing.

Kate Osamor Lab

Edmonton and Winchmore Hill

The Budget was a missed opportunity to help repair damage caused by covid-19. Edmonton has seen 5,000 job losses in the past year with double the national unemployment rate and almost half of children living in poverty. The Chancellor’s decision to cut the £20 universal credit uplift is a concern as it undermines welfare safety. There was no mention of cladding or building safety despite public hope for assistance.

James Grundy Lab Co-op

Leigh

Welcomes the Chancellor's extension of support packages and business rate holiday, but expresses concern about the continuing high rates for businesses in deprived areas. He advocates for a reform of the business rates system to ensure fair treatment across different regions.

Stella Creasy Lab Co-op

Walthamstow

Critiques the Chancellor's approach as reminiscent of austerity measures, arguing against proposed cuts in universal credit and wage freezes for nurses. She highlights the detrimental effects on families, particularly mothers who lost jobs at a higher rate during the pandemic.

Jack Dromey Lab

Erdington

Expresses dissatisfaction with the Government's response to manufacturing job losses and closures in his constituency. He calls for stronger government support for British manufacturing and investment to compete with continental European countries.

James Davies Con

Vale of Clwyd

Commends the Chancellor’s Budget measures, emphasising their positive impact on north Wales, especially in providing security for key sectors like hospitality and tourism. He highlights funding benefits for Denbighshire County Council and the North Wales growth deal.

Kenny MacAskill SNP

Glasgow

Freezing alcohol duty rates is detrimental to Scottish publicans and communities. The drift from on-sale to off-sale consumption has been exacerbated by the pandemic, with 75% of sales being in supermarkets before it. Pubs are community assets that monitor behaviour and ensure safe drinking practices. A proposal from the Social Market Foundation would allow for a variation in alcohol duty rates, reducing the burden for publicans while keeping the Exchequer neutral. Supporting pubs through VAT reduction or the Social Market Foundation's suggestion is essential to preserve these vital community assets.

Giles Watling Con

Clacton

Supports the Budget as it helps keep things going until the economy can stand on its own. The tapered ending of the furlough scheme and additional grants for self-employment income support are sensible steps to protect jobs. Concerned about freelancers falling through the cracks, he hopes new changes will benefit them. Emphasises the importance of supporting the arts sector even after restrictions lift.

Chris Evans Lab Co-op

Caerphilly

Questions how taxpayers' money is spent, highlighting £5 billion in accounting losses by central Government Departments from April 2017 to the end of 2020. HMRC alone recorded over £470 million in departmental losses and estimated £2-3.9 billion lost due to fraud and error in the coronavirus job retention scheme. Suggests this could have funded new hospitals or other essential services, advocating for better management of public funds.

Jane Stevenson

Supports the Budget for its commitment to levelling up and speeding up economic recovery through measures like Help to Grow, freeports, extended furlough, VAT cut for hospitality, apprenticeships, and investment in Wolverhampton. Mentions specific benefits for her city, including a £25 million towns fund bid, a taskforce on modern methods of construction, and the National Brownfield Institute. Emphasises moving Government Departments away from London as evidence of commitment to levelling up.

Rosie Duffield Ind

Canterbury

Critiques the austerity measures of the past decade and highlights issues such as child poverty, homelessness, public sector pay freezes, and inadequate support for frontline NHS workers. Calls attention to the insulting 1% pay rise offer for nurses, which does not even meet the legislated minimum requirement of 2.1%. Emphasises the importance of addressing food bank use among working poor and calls for better support for social care sectors, women, and unpaid carers.

Paul Holmes Con

Hamble Valley

Defends the Budget as crucial for levelling up across all parts of the UK. Highlights specific benefits such as the Solent freeport, which promises 52,000 jobs and £3.7 billion in gross value added uplift to the region. Notes that the project will attract significant investment and help decarbonise industries like maritime transport.

Liz Saville-Roberts PC

Dwyfor Meirionnydd

Critiques the Budget's failure to meet promises made in the Conservative manifesto, particularly regarding financial support for Wales from the UK. Points out that the shared prosperity fund and levelling-up fund undermine Wales’s economic strategy rather than enhance it. Emphasises how these funds unfairly advantage Conservative seats over others.

Clive Efford Lab

Eltham and Chislehurst

Criticises the Budget for its inability to reduce social and economic divides, arguing that it will exacerbate a K-shaped recovery. Mentions that cuts in universal credit and tax credit will plunge more people into poverty. Calls for a revision of the welfare state fit for the gig economy and criticises the 1% pay rise offer for NHS staff.

Nick Smith Lab

Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney

Welcomes the extension of the furlough scheme but criticises the inefficiency of the kickstart scheme. Emphasises the need for investment in emerging industries, better transport infrastructure, and protecting pensioners from fraud.

Ruth Edwards

Expresses confidence in the economic recovery despite the severe impact of the virus, highlighting job protection measures such as furlough extensions, restart grants, recovery loans, super-deduction for businesses, and freeport investment. Highlights benefits of East Midlands freeport in her constituency.

Kate Hollern

Critiques the distribution of levelling-up funds, arguing that deprived areas like Blackburn are not receiving adequate support. Points out double counting in funding allocations and the need for more equitable investment across regions.

Natalie Elphicke

Highlights the positive impact of Budget measures on her constituents in Dover and Deal, focusing on job protection schemes, advanced manufacturing opportunities, high-speed rail affordability, and transitional support for electric vehicles. Emphasises need for equitable railway ticket pricing.

Stephanie Peacock Lab

Barnsley South

Ten harsh years of austerity have had a huge impact on areas like mine. Barnsley Council has faced some of the worst Government cuts in the country, losing 40% of its income since 2010. Despite the concept of levelling up being described as an intention to address inequality and underperforming parts of the UK, it is clear that the criteria for allocating funding have favoured affluent areas over those with greater need. For instance, Barnsley, which is the 38th most deprived area in the country, has been placed behind Richmond in the queue for funding. Child poverty, free school meals, unemployment claimants—statistics will continue to prove that Barnsley is clearly in greater need than Richmond.

Virginia Crosbie

The 2021 Budget is a Budget befitting a Government leading the way in building back better post-Brexit and post-covid. On behalf of my constituents on Ynys Môn, I particularly thank the Chancellor for the funding he announced for the Holyhead hydrogen hub, an investment of £4.8 million which will have a significant impact on Ynys Môn and will provide a major stepping stone in the Government’s commitment to achieving net zero. The hydrogen hub is a pioneering project that will initially create between 20 and 30 jobs, help support more than 500 jobs in local businesses, and offer valuable local training and skills development opportunities.

Ian Byrne Lab

Liverpool West Derby

I listened to the Chancellor’s polished rhetoric last week and heard a man who knows nothing of and has never faced the dire circumstances that millions of people face in our nation today. This Budget offers nothing by way of a solution to the increasing levels of poverty and inequality in our communities. For instance, Liverpool West Derby, we have seen a 100% increase in youth unemployment. The images of hundreds of people queuing for food banks are now commonplace and they shame this Government.

Martin Vickers Con

Brigg and Immingham

It is a pleasure to participate in this debate. My main reason for wanting to take part is to celebrate and praise the Government for this Budget, which has done a great deal to contribute to the levelling-up agenda and to overcome the north-south divide. In the past, cities and city regions have had much of the Government’s resources, but provincial towns such as Cleethorpes, neighbouring Grimsby and others in northern Lincolnshire could not benefit from it because they have no immediate cities from which there could be a trickle-down effect.

Yasmin Qureshi Lab

Bolton South and Walkden

Last week, the headlines were screaming about levelling up, but nothing in this Budget helps my constituents. In the last 10 years, we have seen severe cuts that have caused child poverty of 40%, total unemployment of 10.5% and youth unemployment in parts of my constituency that stands at 30%. The recent cut of £20 in universal credit has caused more people to go into poverty. My constituents need a house to live in. There are 9,000 people registered on the housing list to be accommodated.

Simon Baynes Con

Clwyd South

This is a very strong Budget for the Union. It includes an extra £740 million for Wales, additional funding through the Barnett formula and outside it, continued financial support for businesses including extensions of furlough and self-employment support, accelerated city and growth deals in Wales, levelling-up fund providing at least £800 million for infrastructure projects in Wales and other regions, community renewal fund to provide extra funding over and above EU structural funds, measures supporting offshore wind and the green economy, extension of the universal credit uplift. This Budget supports north Wales' economic development and job creation.

Diana R. Johnson Lab

Kingston upon Hull North

The Chancellor’s speech about fairness and levelling up does not pass the fairness test in Hull, which has been hit hard by austerity. No real green industrial strategy, no permanent universal credit uplift, NHS staff facing a real-terms pay cut, £30 billion cut in day-to-day NHS spending without a clear plan for social care. Hull's exclusion from priority places list for community renewal fund despite achieving priority 1 status is unfair. The towns fund and infrastructure bank lack substantial investment compared to previous European Investment Bank funding. Overall, the Budget lacks real transformational investment and fairness.

Rob Roberts Con

Delyn

The Chancellor’s decisions are based on sound economics rather than political gamesmanship. Personal tax allowance has been frozen over this Parliament, corporation tax rise delayed to 2023 post-election. The Budget supports businesses and those in need through investment programmes like the super deduction plan. It is committed to levelling up every community, town and region through funds such as the community ownership fund and the levelling-up fund, ensuring Wales receives additional funding and north Wales growth deal benefits are brought forward.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab

Clapham

Three aspects of the Budget: short-term emergency measures for pandemic effects, long-term structural austerity policies that reduce living standards and deepen inequalities by cutting public spending, increasing council tax payments, freezing income tax thresholds which disproportionately affect poor people, providing unnecessary subsidies to businesses. The Treasury Red Book barely mentions inequality, indicating policy impacts negatively on disadvantaged groups. This Budget widens both the scope of public health and economic disasters caused by Government policies.

Andrew Gwynne Ind

Gorton and Denton

Welcomed ongoing support for business and furlough but criticised the Chancellor's failure to address millions without any financial support, council tax hike, decision on income tax allowances hitting the poorest hardest, missed opportunity to address tax imbalance between online and high street retail, lack of a credible strategy for economic recovery, insulted NHS workers with 1% pay rise offer.

Neil Parish Con

Tiverton and Honiton

Thanked the Chancellor for new self-employment grant scheme, restart grants, VAT cut extension, universal credit uplift extension. Welcomed the super deduction allowing companies to cut their tax bills by up to 25p per £1 invested in new machinery over two years.

Emma Lewell-Buck Lab

South Shields

Critiqued Chancellor's failure to value NHS, lack of investment in infrastructure and local communities, levelling up fund being unclear with criteria for making awards leading to division among communities. Highlighted the need for universal credit uplift extension and concern over rise in unemployment.

Flick Drummond Con

Meon Valley

The speaker supports the announcement of the Solent freeport and its potential benefits for constituents in Meon Valley. She acknowledges areas like Waterlooville needing investment and redevelopment, highlighting the importance of strategic views on transport and urban design. She welcomes the levelling up fund and calls for local stakeholders to contribute to the regeneration efforts.

Ian Paisley Jnr DUP

North Antrim

The speaker expresses disappointment that Northern Ireland was not mentioned in detail during the Budget speech. He highlights measures introduced by the Chancellor, such as jobs retention schemes and loan guarantees. He also raises concerns about the Northern Ireland protocol and calls for investment in hydrogen production to support economic recovery.

Sara Britcliffe Con

Hyndburn

The speaker praises the Chancellor's efforts to balance public finances while protecting vulnerable groups. She notes the importance of the levelling up fund and its potential for transforming her area, which has historically struggled with investment opportunities.

Sarah Owen Lab

Luton North

The speaker criticises the absence of NHS funding in the Budget and highlights inequalities exposed by the pandemic. She calls for better investment in communities based on need, stressing the importance of levelling up beyond superficial measures.

Jack Brereton Con

Stoke-on-Trent North

Emphasised the importance of delivering on the Prime Minister's ambition to build back better, particularly in Stoke-on-Trent. Launched a 'Powering Up Stoke-on-Trent' prospectus outlining high-growth sectors and priority areas for investment including digital, advanced manufacturing, green energy, and creatives. Called for additional investment in Longton’s town centre and stressed the need for better local public transport to improve life chances.

Sam Tarry Lab

Ilford South

Critiqued the lack of support for important sectors such as public transport, highlighting drastic cuts in funding. Stressed the negative impact on workers and operators due to reduced ridership levels and job losses in bus and coach manufacturing industries. Pointed out delays and reductions in climate spending, urging a green economic recovery to create secure jobs in clean industries.

Nicholas Fletcher Con

Welwick

Stressed the importance of focusing on making sure people get back into work after furlough schemes. Highlighted disappointment over Doncaster Sheffield airport not receiving freeport status but praised other levelling-up initiatives like a business rates holiday and restart grants for economic recovery.

Tonia Antoniazzi Lab

Gower

I can understand how some people in this country have been fooled into believing that the Government have their best interests at heart. The rhetoric of levelling up is just that. For all the fanfare around the Budget, the money pledged is a drop in the ocean next to the billions cut from local authorities and local services over the past decade. Civil service jobs are leaving in droves as they are increasingly undervalued. On top of that, if Liverpool and Bristol become freeports, that will have a major impact on Holyhead and ports across south Wales. The funding is distributed in a way that grows the economy not just England, but throughout the UK.

Conor McGinn

The Budget fails to address fundamental weaknesses and unfairness in our economy and offers no coherent plan to rebuild our country, invest in our communities and allow our citizens to prosper. In my constituency of St Helens North, people die younger, leave school with fewer qualifications, are poorer and have worse health. We needed this Budget to give us a fighting chance to succeed but it has given us an even harder race to run.

Julie Marson

I welcome the pragmatic and fair Budget which is much more than just short-term crisis management, with ambitions for growth. It announces that this Government want the UK to lead the world in innovative, high-potential, high-growth sectors of the future. The new “future fund: breakthrough” scheme helps root innovation companies to the UK by getting more money into the venture capital ecosystem at early stages.

Beth Winter

The levelling-up fund will be centrally managed, going against the express position of the Welsh Government and bypassing democratically elected structures in Wales. The furlough scheme has been extended but short-sightedness means people are facing a cliff edge in six months’ time. Benefit payments damage all round as the uplift to universal credit is only temporary and will not help to create demand in economies of Mountain Ash or Aberdare in my constituency.

Tan Dhesi Lab

Slough

Critiques the Budget for its lack of boldness in addressing the economic crisis, proposing an investment bank capitalised at £20 billion and regional investment banks to support green businesses. Calls for a major national rail electrification programme and a £30 billion green recovery package. Expresses concern over funding cuts for NHS workers and fire-hazard cladding, highlighting negative impacts on poorer communities.

Ben Spencer Con

Runnymede and Weybridge

Welcomes the Budget's support for businesses and families during the pandemic, including the super deduction, Help to Grow programme, and enterprise management incentives. Highlights sustainability initiatives like the UK biomass feedstocks programme and importance of balancing finances for future economic recovery.

Mike Hill

Expresses disappointment in the Budget's lack of support for nuclear energy and local communities, calling for guarantees about Hartlepool nuclear power station's future. Criticises funding distribution that favours Conservative seats and calls for adequate support to kickstart local economies.

Kieran Mullan Con

Bexhill and Battle

Over the past year, constituents have faced significant sacrifices due to the pandemic. The Government's approaches such as the lifetime skills guarantee, commitment to apprenticeships, and targeted corporation tax incentives are vital for recovery. Apprenticeships provide opportunities for young people to secure better paid jobs. Changing mindsets about career flexibility is crucial. Recovery will not be pain-free but requires long-term economic planning.

Kerry McCarthy Lab

Bristol East

The lack of funding in the Budget for Bristol's Temple quarter project, which would create jobs and boost the economy, is disappointing. More than 2 million freelancers are excluded from support. People on legacy benefits face discrimination. The freezing of income tax bands will disproportionately affect modest incomes. There was no new information on social care or child poverty. The pay rise for nurses has been reduced to a real-terms cut due to austerity measures.

Suzanne Webb

Covid-19 has provided an opportunity for innovation and change, including digitalization and the vaccine rollout. This Budget includes major tax incentives for business investment, with the biggest business tax cut in modern British history. The introduction of eight freeports will encourage trade and bring investment to regions through lower taxes and cheaper customs. This is a significant economic peacetime support package that provides a lifeline for businesses.

Claire Hanna SDLP

Belfast South and Mid Down

The Budget represents interim measures, which may be understandable given the economic climate but also missed opportunities for a green recovery. It does not invest enough in healthcare or support those affected by job losses due to the pandemic and Brexit. The Government should work with Northern Ireland Executive partners to develop an investment plan focusing on agrifoods, advanced manufacturing, and green technology. There has been insufficient focus on the environment and the needs of economically precarious individuals.

Peter Aldous

The Budget includes welcome announcements for Lowestoft and Felixstowe in terms of infrastructure investment and freeport status, which will play a key role in the recovery. East Anglia has enormous potential to lead in the green economy with opportunities in low-carbon energy production, carbon storage, sustainable fishing resources, low-carbon shipping and maritime activities, and net zero agriculture. The Chancellor should move away from the low-wage economy prevalent in East Anglia.

Margaret Greenwood

The Chancellor’s Budget failed to address poverty, inequality, low pay, unemployment, public service erosion, and the climate crisis effectively. It shamefully decided to cut NHS staff and other public sector workers’ pay instead of providing a raise. The increase in unemployment, especially among young people, has been inadequately addressed by the Government's kickstart scheme. Labour calls for a £30 billion green economic recovery plan and urges the Government to cancel plans to cut universal credit.

Ben Everitt

The Chancellor’s Budget provides significant support through furlough extensions, self-employment grants, business rate holidays, and investment in specific regions like Milton Keynes. The towns fund will help kickstart the development of a new tech campus at Milton Keynes College. This is seen as a vote of confidence for future economic recovery and global trade opportunities.

Alan Brown Lab

Glasgow

The Tories’ concept of levelling up is flawed and out of touch, as evidenced by their handling of austerity measures, PPE contracts, and the furlough scheme. The Budget shows a lack of investment in energy efficiency measures and direct government funding for such projects, leading to fuel poverty and increasing costs on electricity bills. Additionally, there's a need for credible policies to support heat pump installations and renewable energy investments.

Christian Wakeford Lab

Bury South

The Budget delivers changes that benefit Bury residents, such as cancelling planned increases in alcohol and fuel duty, extending the stamp duty holiday, offering 95% mortgages for homebuyers, continuing business rates holidays, and introducing a super deduction tax stimulus to boost investment. The levelling up fund is now open for applications, aiming to regenerate town centres like Radcliffe and Prestwich.

Lyn Brown Lab

West Ham

The Budget fails to address the digital access gap for children in Newham who lack laptops and broadband due to poverty. Unemployment has surged by 240% since the pandemic, with many residents still on furlough or facing job losses. The reduction of sick pay is concerning as it discourages people from self-isolating.

Nickie Aiken Con

Cities of London and Westminster

The Budget includes positive measures for businesses, such as extending furlough schemes, providing restart grants, cutting VAT rates for hospitality sectors, and supporting the tech workforce. Central London’s economy will recover slowly due to worker and visitor hesitancy post-pandemic. The Chancellor's announcement to amend UK listing rules and introduce improvements to tech visas is welcome.

Grahame Morris Lab

Easington

I express concern about the plans by Melrose Industries to close the GKN Automotive factory in Birmingham, which would result in 500 highly skilled workers losing their jobs. Despite promises made during the takeover of GKN in 2018, Melrose is now planning to shut down the Chester Road site. Unite the union disputes this move and argues that transitioning to electric vehicle production should be investment-led and sustainable.

Clive Betts Lab

Sheffield South East

Local government funding has been severely cut since 2010, with local authorities having a £5 billion shortfall going into the pandemic. The Chancellor's Budget failed to address these issues and did not mention extra funding for local government or reforms to business rates. Additionally, there was no mention of social care reform, public health grants, or financial support for key workers like those in social care and public health who have been essential during the crisis.

Charlotte Nichols Lab

Warrington North

The Conservative Government has failed to address economic challenges such as underfunding of public services, high borrowing forecasts, and complex trade regulations. The Budget does not adequately support sectors like pubs or provide a comprehensive social care system. Additionally, scrapping the Industrial Strategy Council without consultation is seen as a step backward in planning for recovery.

Aaron Bell

I praise the Chancellor's Budget for extending furlough support, offering grants to self-employed individuals and businesses, and freezing alcohol duty and fuel duty. I argue that Labour has not prioritised towns as effectively as they should have, highlighting local investment through schemes such as the future high streets fund and the UK community renewal fund.

Emma Hardy Lab

Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice

The UK has suffered the worst economic impact due to delayed government action. The Budget fails to address issues like tax hikes, inadequate sick pay increases, and increased local taxes in poorer areas such as Hull. The Government's actions have not supported those hit hardest by lockdowns and unemployment. Additionally, there is criticism for contracts awarded to Conservative-linked individuals, a low NHS staff pay increase, and an overall lack of support for struggling families.

Toby Perkins Lab

Chesterfield

The Chancellor faced significant challenges in crafting the Budget due to the worst recession and death rate among major nations. The need for a long-term economic plan was highlighted, but instead, the Government presented short-term measures without addressing critical issues such as skills development and industrial strategy coherence. Criticisms include ineffective employment schemes and an apprenticeship levy that returns £330 million annually unused.

Chris Stephens

Public sector pay, particularly for civil servants who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic, should be reconsidered in light of a proposed pay freeze. This move is not only unfair but economically illiterate as it fails to recognise the spending power of public sector workers in supporting private sector recovery.

Apsana Begum Lab

Poplar and Limehouse

The Budget missed opportunities for equitable economic recovery, failing to address poverty, low pay, and social inequality. There are criticisms regarding the delayed increase in corporation tax, inadequate support for public services and investment, and a lack of job creation for the future. The proposal falls short in tackling the care crisis and climate change challenges.

Ruth Jones Lab

Newport West and Islwyn

The economy remains fundamentally unfair, with the government focusing on giving favours to crony billionaires rather than providing fairness to those who have supported the country during the pandemic. Ruth criticises £2.6 million spent refurbishing Downing Street while millions struggle financially due to lack of support for home office adjustments and tax cuts favouring businesses over ordinary workers.

Liz Twist Lab

Blaydon and Consett

Twist highlights the exclusion of certain groups from pandemic relief, particularly those not qualifying for business or self-employment support schemes. She urges the Chancellor to help these individuals immediately and stresses the increasing child poverty in the north-east despite the extension of a £20 uplift to universal credit.

Naseem Shah Lab

Bradford West

Shah emphasises the severe impact of austerity measures alongside long-term covid restrictions on Bradford's economy. He argues for an end to party politics and advocates for levelling up support, aiming to transform Bradford into a leading growth city by providing skills and jobs.

Mike Amesbury

Amesbury criticises the Prime Minister’s focus on “levelling up” as being biased towards Conservative areas while neglecting Labour constituencies such as Halton. He highlights significant disparities in unemployment, child poverty rates, and life expectancy between Conservative and Labour regions.

Bridget Phillipson Lab

Houghton and Sunderland South

The Budget fails to address the issues faced by the country due to the pandemic. It lacks a plan for jobs, economic recovery, and an industrial strategy. The levelling-up fund pits regions against each other without transparency or local community input. There is no clear focus on social care reform or significant new ideas such as freeports which lack evidence of job creation benefits. The kickstart scheme has only helped one in 49 eligible young people while unemployment peaks and businesses struggle with debt, requiring urgent support from the Government.

Steve Barclay Con

North East Cambridgeshire

Emphasised the comprehensive nature of the Government's response to the economic shock, including a £352 billion support package this year and next. Highlighted projections by OBR that UK economy will recover six months earlier than expected with unemployment peaking at 6.5%, significantly lower than previously feared. Noted continuation of furlough scheme and self-employment support until September, universal credit uplift, VAT cut extension and investment in green innovation.

Rosie Winterton Lab

unknown constituency

Called for the House to proceed without further debate on the Ways and Means motions numbered 2 to 80 as required under Standing Order No. 51(3).

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