Last month, the Chancellor delivered his Spring Budget – which provided welcome help people across Romford and Hornchurch.
Despite three hugely unpredictable events in the last thirteen years which we haven’t seen for almost a century; a global banking crisis; a global pandemic and; a war in Europe for the first time since 1945, the current economic forecasts look promising. It appears the country is not going into recession (fingers crossed), our debts are falling and inflation, which is being driven largely by the impact of the Ukranian War on energy prices, is expected to fall sharply later this year and return to normal levels.
The Chancellor’s budget contained many measures that will help us all in Romford. Perhaps most importantly, support for energy bills will continue until July and those with prepayment energy meters will no longer be penalised.
The Government has also frozen fuel duty for the thirteenth consecutive year – which should save the average driver in Havering approximately £200 this year. More money is also being announced for pothole repairs – and I will work closely with the Leader of Havering Council, Cllr. Ray Morgan, to improve our roads to ensure journeys are safer and smoother.
I was also pleased to see targeted tax cuts for companies that invest in equipment and machinery. This will lead to more economic growth and create opportunities for high quality local jobs.
Also announced by the Government to help families this year was an increase in the annual pension allowance to £60,000 and abolishing the lifetime allowance, establishing a new Universal Support programme for disabled people and the long-term sick, as well as abolishing the work capability assessment and increasing the administrative earning threshold to 18 hours.
The Brexit Pub Guarantee also ensures that draught duty will always be less than duty in supermarkets – providing a boost to our wonderful pubs across Romford and Hornchurch!
The Golden Lion in Romford Market, The Ship in Main Road and the Orange Tree at Havering-atte-Bower are always a joy to visit…. not to mention the fabulous The Victoria pub in Victoria Road; the proudly traditional Wheatsheaf pub in Brentwood Road; The Sun in London Road; The Aspen Tree at Chase Cross; The Lamb and The Bull in Romford Market; The Colley Rowe Inn at Collier Row; The Rush Green Tavern in Rush Green Road; The Ardleigh at, yes you’ve guessed it, Ardleigh Green; The Mawney Arms in Mawney Road; The Sun in London Road; The Drill at Gidea Park; The Harrow in Hornchurch Road; The Crown at Roneo Corner; The Goose in South Street; and how could we forget the New Inn at Squirrels Heath. All offer a great traditional British pub experience! Please support our local pubs - we need to use them, or we may lose them!
The most eye-catching announcement in the Budget, though, was on Childcare. Thanks to the Government’s investment, we are extending the 30 hours parents currently receive for free childcare a week to working parents of children aged nine months to four years.
The Spring Budget provides welcome help to families across Romford, Hornchurch and throughout Havering. As we recover from the pandemic lockdowns which did so much harm to our overall economy. It is in truth, our Conservative Government who are getting the job done in reducing the cost of living by halving inflation; creating the conditions for economic growth and bringing forward tough measures to stop the boats and eradicate illegal immigration.
We need to do more, by reducing the tax burden and developing a much stronger post-Brexit policy for growth, both of which I am supporting strongly. Britain’s future is bright. Trade agreements are being signed around the world and our accession to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) opens trade with growing economies in parts of the world we could never have made trade agreements with had we remained in the downward spiral of the European Union!
That is why we need to think long and hard before giving Sir Keir and his left-wing socialist chums the keys to No. 10 Downing Stret. That would be a massive mistake! They won’t put Britain first, that’s for sure. I will for certain, but my party, the Conservative Party, needs to prove to the British people that they will do so too, with vigour and determination. Our approach must be Conservative in tooth and claw. We cannot be ‘Labour-lite’ if we wish to win back the trust of the British people.
Mrs Thatcher did this forty years ago, which led to decades of economic prosperity. Rishi Sunak must do the same today!
