Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP for Berwick-upon Tweed, has welcomed the Chancellor's budget which boosts investment in housing, health, transport and technology and will help to build an economy fit for the future.
The budget contained measures to help people on Universal Credit, support to make housing and travel more affordable for our young people, and spending measures to improve lives and infrastructure in the North East.
Anne-Marie said “This budget will have a real impact on the lives’ of people in Northumberland and the North East. The decision to raise the personal allowance in tax will mean that the average taxpayer is now over £1,000 a year better off since 2010 and the rise in the National Living Wage means the lowest paid workers in north Northumberland are now £2,000 better off since its introduction. Labour might use platitudes and catchy headlines to garner attention, but the Conservatives are the party who are actually improving lives’ with real policy measures like freezing fuel duty and raising the National Living Wage”.
“I am delighted that the Chancellor has focused on some of the key issues that face our country and the next generation such as housing and the NHS. The Chancellor committed £44 billion to housing and over £6 billion in new funding for the NHS, and I am continuing to work with the Department of Health on the closure of beds at Rothbury Hospital and our Accountable Care Organisation. It is fantastic news that there will be a new railcard which will help young people save 1/3rd on rail fares, and the decision to abolish Stamp Duty for 95% of all first-time buyers will make a real difference to those looking to purchase their own home, allowing them to keep money to spend or save as they wish.”
“Following meetings with the Chancellor and intense lobbying that I have been undertaking on behalf of north Northumberland, it was very welcome to see distinct North East policies in this budget. The North Tyne devolution deal will be a game changer in driving innovation and allowing money to be spent according to local need, allowing us to build a distinct economic area that can innovate and grow in the North East. Furthermore, the boost for flood defences will come as a relief to many in the North East and I will be continuing my dialogue with the Chancellor to ensure that the voice of Berwick-upon-Tweed continues to be heard loud and clear”.
The budget included measures which will help people in Northumberland thanks to:
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The North of Tyne devolution deal, between Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside councils, bringing £600 million of new funding. The new combined authority, which will be led by a directly-elected mayor, will choose how to spend this money on local priorities. An inclusive growth board will be set up to ensure all 815,000 people living and working in the area benefit from the economic growth this creates.
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Backing tech businesses and skills in the North East. Newcastle will become home to a Tech Hub, supporting businesses and skills in the area to thrive and prosper. This is part of a national expansion of Tech City, and the region will receive a share of £21 million to support this.
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Boosting flood defences in the North East. An extra £4 million boost to spending on flood defences including in Northumberland. This builds on the £26 million recently invested in the Morpeth flood alleviation scheme, which was completed last year and protects more than 1,000 local homes and businesses.
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£6.3 Billion in funding for frontline NHS services and upgrades to buildings and facilities. The Chancellor also committed to funding pay awards for NHS staff such as nurses and midwives.
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The new measures on stamp duty will ensure a stamp duty cut for 95 per cent of all first-time buyers who pay stamp duty, and no stamp duty at all for 80 per cent of first-time buyers.
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The national Living wage will rise 4.4% to £7.83 an hour. This will mean that since its introduction the National Living Wage has delivered a £2,000 pay rise for the lowest paid.
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Due to fuel duty being frozen for an eighth successive year, the average car driver in north Northumberland will have saved £850 compared to Labour's escalator plans.