Chancellor is giving people breathing space, says West Bromwich MP

In Parliament, Budget Day is always met with some anticipation and speculation as the Chancellor John Healey stands up in the House of Commons and gives his speech, setting out his plans for the year ahead, and how his decisions will make life better for working people.

I know that readers in West Bromwich and across the Black Country have been hit hard by the rising cost of basics: of food, petrol, energy bills, rent or mortgage costs. The Chancellor’s decision to make sure that working people get some breathing space is absolutely the right approach.

The conflict in the Middle East has put up bills for families and for businesses this year.

Today the Chancellor made a huge announcement that every household in council tax bands A-D will receive a £100 payment to help with the cost of bills. We are also removing gas standing charges – which will make bills a lot fairer and offer some immediate relief. This short-term move is all while pursuing a long-term plan to give us energy security so that we are better shielded from future geopolitical shocks, and we are less reliant on expensive international fossil fuels.

When it comes to the weekly shop or filling up the tank, the government has announced that tariffs on over 100 supermarket goods have been temporarily lifted, such as on baked beans, chocolate and dried fruit, and the temporary 5p-per-litre duty cut on fuel will be extended until 1 July 2027.

Almost 1,200 pubs and other retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in Sandwell will have their business rates frozen, and over half of the small hospitality businesses in the West Midlands will pay no business rates at all.

Without breathing space it’s harder to do the things you want to do: find a new job, enjoy your time off or spend more time with your family.

These are not ‘small things.’ This is what makes life better, and along with a 3.9 per cent pay rise for over 15,000 workers in Sandwell on the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, and an expected 3.9 per cent rise in the state pension, whether you are a worker or are retired, we will make sure that you feel the benefit.

The Budget is a significant moment amidst increasing economic pressures, many of which have been worsened by turmoil abroad. The Chancellor showed with his Budget that this Labour government cares about giving breathing space to families in the Black Country, and giving people hope for the future.