Stuart Anderson MP has said that the Chancellor’s Spring Statement is a “missed opportunity” to deliver vital support for rural communities like South Shropshire.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"The Chancellor's Spring Statement is a missed opportunity to deliver vital support for rural communities like South Shropshire. Ahead of the Spring Statement, I had called for support for the rural economy including our farmers and local businesses. Rachel Reeves insists that she has the right economic plan for the country. However, her policies have ground the rural economy to a halt. Over six thousand farming businesses have closed since the Family Farm Tax was announced. Meanwhile, unemployment is at its highest in five years and is expected to remain at elevated levels for two years. The government needs to end its assault on businesses and restore the economic growth our country needs.”
Ahead of the Spring Statement, Stuart had called for increased support for the rural economy including farmers and local businesses. In a series of interventions, Stuart had shown how rural and farming communities are being "systematically neglected" by government policies in areas such as youth employment, economic growth, and food production.
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves insists that she has the right economic plan for the country. However, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has downgraded its economic growth forecasts. Stuart has said that the Chancellor’s policies have ground the rural economy to a halt. Having inherited the fastest growing economy in the G7, GDP growth stood at just 0.1 per cent in the three months to December 2025 - with GDP per head estimated to have fallen for the second consecutive quarter by 0.1 per cent.
Over the past two years, Rachel Reeves has increased taxes by £66 billion - pushing the tax burden to a record high. Stuart said this has driven unemployment to the highest in five years. It is expected to remain at elevated levels for at least the next two years.
The Institute of Directors has added that statutory employment costs, including the £26 billion hike in employer’s National Insurance Contributions (NICs) - have "severely dampened" employment prospects. In December, the unemployment rate reached 5.2 per cent. This is up from 4.2 per cent at the General Election in July 2024. In January 2026, there were 1,170 people claiming unemployment-related benefits in South Shropshire. This number has risen over the last month by 60 people.
Two hospitality businesses have closed every day since the 2024 Autumn Budget. Over 1,100 pubs and restaurants have closed, with 89,000 hospitality workers losing their jobs. Meanwhile, more than six thousand agricultural businesses have closed after Labour used their first budget in October 2024 to announce the Family Farm Tax. This is the highest number of closures since 2017. The government also cut £100 million from farming and countryside programmes in the Spending Review of July 2025. Only one in three farmers in England feel positive about their own future in agriculture, according to the Government’s own Farmer Opinion Tracker in April 2025.
Food prices have risen by 3.5 per cent in the year to January 2026. This is up from 1.5 per cent in the year to July 2024. 58% of voters fear the cost of living crisis may never end, while a further 23% do not think it will end this year. 80% of farmers are concerned for the survival of their business, while 60% have considered selling their farm - according to a Country Land and Business Association survey.
Analysts have warned that household energy bills could surge to £2,500 a year if the Iran conflict causes long-term disruption to global gas supplies. Britain's domestic energy prices are already the highest highest in the world, behind only Germany. Energy bills are £73 higher under Labour, despite promises to reduce them by £300.
Stuart has contrasted Labour's approach with the Conservatives' clear plan for a stronger economy, including the need to cut welfare and end the assault on businesses to boost economic growth. Savings identified by the Conservatives would enable them to repeal the Family Farm Tax.
