CHANCELLOR of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has announced the annual budget and Salisbury shoppers told the Journal what they thought.

The budget was announced in Parliament on October 30, 2024, with announcements including increases in minimum wage, changes to national insurance contributions for employers and more spending on the NHS.

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John Whittle, 45, works in hospitality and he is paid minimum wage. The minimum wage will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 in April 2025, it has been confirmed.

John WhittleJohn Whittle (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "I just about get by but it depends how much everything goes up by."

For one Salisbury citizen, she is let down that there has been no change to the tax free lump sum of pension, despite speculation.

Janet Rowland, 80, said she was "disappointed" by the new budget.

Janet RowlandJanet Rowland (Image: Newsquest) She told the Journal that she is only narrowly past the pension tax-free allowance but must pay tax. 

She added: "As you are past it you start paying tax anyway at 25 per cent."

Gary and Joanne Wood are from Huddersfield on a holiday in Salisbury.

Joanne and Gary WoodJoanne and Gary Wood (Image: Newsquest) Gary referenced Rachel Reeves' in Parliament today, agreeing that it's to do with "the mess we have to get out of".

"I voted Labour for a reason - to reverse it", he said.

However, he thinks that the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent will end up impacting employees.

Joanne added that their daughter is "pleased about the minimum wage going up".

Jerome Renouard lives in Harnham.

Jerome RenouardJerome Renouard (Image: Newsquest) Talking about minimum wage, he said: "It's good news for people who will benefit from it."

Rachel Reeves announced today that £22.6bn will be spent on the NHS to tackle waiting lists by increasing the number of hospital appointments and procedures.

Jerome said: "I think it was quite necessary in a way for services to go on.

"Also I believe everybody should be paying a minimum fee for the NHS, just for going. Every time you use it you should pay a minimum fee to support the NHS rather than pay tax because some people use it more than others."