Liz Jarvis MP Budget response: “Bigger and bolder action needed from the Chancellor.”

Responding to today’s Budget announcement by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Liz Jarvis, MP for Eastleigh, said: 

“I welcome the news that the Chancellor is finally going to scrap the two-child benefit cap. I have been campaigning on this for a long time, and it will have a huge and positive impact on struggling families in Eastleigh and across Hampshire. 

“I also welcome increases to the minimum wage, free apprenticeships for people under 25, increased SEND funding, the rail fare freeze and the online gambling tax, a Lib Dem policy the Government have adopted. 

“However, I wish the Chancellor had gone further. After 14 years of Conservative Government and last year’s disappointing Budget, we needed bigger and bolder action on the cost of living and greater support for our high streets. I wanted to see the employers NICs rise from the last budget reversed, which would have helped many small and medium sized businesses in my constituency, including early years provides, GP surgeries, local pubs, restaurants, and cafes. 

“The Lib Dems have called for 5p VAT cut for the hospitality sector, which would help to boost footfall on our highstreets, and for the Government to implement a new windfall tax on big banks. 

“Freezing tax thresholds to 2030 is a tax on hardworking families by stealth and I would have liked to see further support for our NHS. 

“It’s also a missed opportunity to free British businesses from endless red-tape by negotiating a comprehensive new trade deal with our European neighbours and raising more than £25bn a year for our public services.

“I will be writing to the Chancellor on behalf of my constituents with my concerns.”