Stuart Anderson MP has endorsed the measures in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget, which sets out the next stage in the Government’s plan to halve inflation, reduce debt, and grow the economy. It includes action to tackle barriers to work, enhance childcare support, and provide continued support with energy costs with the decision to maintain the Energy Price Guarantee at the same level of £2,500 for a further three months, saving a typical household £160. By the end of June, millions of households will have received £1,500 in support since October 2022 to help ease the cost of living. In addition, fuel duty will be frozen for a thirteenth consecutive year – saving the average driver around £200.
Stuart particularly welcomed the Chancellor’s plans to remove barriers to work and to increase the availability of childcare, benefitting nearly half a million parents with a child under 3 in England. A new universal support programme will help disabled people and those with long-term health conditions into work, with more than 50,000 places available every year. Meanwhile, a new childcare package has been announced to support eligible working parents, with access to 30 hours free childcare per week extended to children aged from 9 months old, alongside boosts to subsidised childcare for parents on Universal Credit including upfront support. New childminders will also receive incentive payments, while schools and local authorities will be funded to increase the supply of wraparound care so that the parents of school age children can drop their children off between 8am and 6pm.
Stuart also welcomed plans to boost levelling up and to drive economic growth across the West Midlands. Wolverhampton will be one of 16 areas to benefit from a share of £200 million to catalyse economic regeneration. The Chancellor also confirmed a third round of the Levelling Up Fund, which will provide a further £1 billion to help local communities invest in new priority infrastructure projects.
In addition, the voluntary and charity sector will be equipped with £100 million to increase their work in local communities and an extra £10 million to prevent suicide, an issue that Stuart has campaigned on as a veteran. Stuart added that he is delighted an additional £33 million is being provided to help veterans over the next 3 years, including support for those with serious physical injury resulting from their service and increasing the availability of veteran housing. Further support for the cultural sector has also been announced, with tax relief for theatres, orchestras, and museums and galleries maintained at rates of 45%-50% until 2025. A Brexit Pub guarantee will benefit 3,485 public houses and bars across the West Midlands through Draught Relief, helping the hospitality with higher costs.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “I welcome the Chancellor’s Spring Budget, which outlines the next steps to deliver on our pledges to the nation; to halve inflation, reduce debt, and grow the economy. While there are already near record numbers of people in work, these plans will remove barriers to work and increase the availability of childcare, ensuring that even more people can benefit from the security of a job. The decisions that we have taken mean that we have avoided recession and growth is forecast to return, while the extension of the Energy Price Guarantee will help ease immediate cost-of-living pressures.”
Stuart added: “The voluntary and charitable sector in Wolverhampton plays an integral role in supporting and strengthening our community, which is why I welcome £100 million to support them with their fantastic work. As a veteran, I particularly welcome further support for the Armed Forces community. Having sustained life-changing injuries as a result of my service in the Armed Forces, this funding will deliver additional support to help fellow veterans with specialist care for physical injuries.”