Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed details of his Budget in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon.

Outlining the government's tax and spending plans for the year, Mr Sunak said his plans focused on the 'post-Covid' era.

While Hitchin Nub News is resolutely non-political, we do offer our platform for politicians and voters of all persuasions to respond to local, national and international issues.

So, read on for our in-depth piece on Hitchin MP Bim Afolami's take on this week's Budget, which he insists delivers local people's priorities in Hitchin.

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Bim Afolami MP has welcomed the chancellor's Autumn Budget and Spending Review, which provides the foundations for a stronger economy, helps those on low incomes, and protects our environment as the country continues its recovery from the pandemic.

Hitchin's MP insists the Budget prioritises helping working families and vulnerable households with the cost of living.

He says this will be by including a significant tax cut for low-income families by reducing the Universal Credit taper rate from 63 per cent to 55 per cent, a 6.6 per cent increase in the National Living Wage to £9.50 an hour – giving a £1,000 pay rise to 2 million of the lowest paid – lifting pay restraints for public sector workers, a freeze in fuel duty for the twelfth consecutive year, and a freeze in alcohol duty – alongside radical reform to make the system simpler, fairer and healthier.

"Despite the unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic, this Conservative government is getting on with the job and delivering on the priorities of the British people," explained Mr Afolami.

"This Budget will make a real difference to people in Hitchin & Harpenden, helping working families with the cost of living, supporting businesses with their recovery, and investing in our public services so that everyone gets the world-class hospitals, schools, and police services they deserve.

"I was elected on a promise to level up and improve opportunity for people in Hitchin & Harpenden – and today's Budget shows how this Government is delivering on that promise as we build back better."

Mr Afolami also says that the government will bring schools funding to record levels, committing an extra £4.7 billion per year on top of the £14 billion announced in 2019 - a cash uplift of more than £1,500 per pupil and brings per pupil spending to historic levels. He adds that the annual spending on Special Educational Needs places is also being tripled.

Hitchin's Parliamentarian says he has been raising concerns around SEN funding with the chancellor for some time, and following conversations with headteachers across the constituency, he regards this as an extremely welcome announcement.

Mr Afolami insists that businesses will also benefit from new measures, including a 50 per cent cut in business rates next year for 90 per cent of retail, hospitality and leisure – alongside a freeze of all rates – the creation

of new business rates relief to encourage green technologies and improvements to properties, and a doubling of creative industries tax reliefs for the UK's world-leading theatres, orchestras, museums and galleries.

Taken together, that's a tax cut for businesses worth £7 billion Mr Afolami says.

"The government is also investing in protecting our environment, with £30 billion of backing given to building a greener economy through the Net Zero Strategy," adds Mr Afolami.

"Other measures to drive economic growth include record investment in our roads, railways and broadband, supporting innovation through a record £20 billion spending on R&D, and a huge uplift in skills training through T-levels, Institutes of Technology, and apprenticeships.

"As part of the three year Spending Review delivered alongside the Budget, total government departmental spending will increase by £150 billion by 2024 – a 3.8 per cent annual real terms increase – the largest real terms increase this century, and record levels of capital investment not seen in 50 years.

"Thanks to the Conservative Government's strong economic management, the UK's 0.7% commitment to overseas aid will also be restored from 2024," Mr Afolami insists.

Underpinning these measures, he also says the Budget strengthens the country's public finances and will get debt falling again, following the £400 billion package of support put in place during the pandemic.

The new fiscal rules set out by the Chancellor will require the government to only borrow to invest and get debt falling by 2024, in line with the Conservative government's 2019 manifesto commitment, adds Mr Afolami.

Mr Afolami added: "One year ago, this country was in the grip of the biggest recession in 300 years.

"Thanks to our Plan For Jobs, we are today recovering faster than our major competitors, more people are in work, and growth is up. But uncertainty in the global economy means that recovery is now under threat.

"That is why this Budget and Spending Review delivers a stronger economy for the British people – strengthening our public finances, helping working families meet the cost of living, supporting businesses, delivering stronger public services, and driving economic growth.

[I]"This is a Budget which will level up every part of the United Kingdom," Mr Afolami concludes, adding: [I]"It is a Budget which provides the foundations for a stronger economy."

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