Mixed reactions from Wiltshire MPs on Rachel Reeves' budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the budget will “deliver change by protecting working people, fixing the NHS and rebuilding Britain” and continues to blame the Conservatives for leaving a "£22bn black hole" in the public finances.

Liberal Democrat MP for Chippenham, Sarah Gibson, claimed the financial plan was “for cities” rather than “rural communities”.

Sir Keir Starmer said the budget will embrace the “harsh light of fiscal reality” but “better days are ahead”. (Image: PA) She said: “The Chancellor spent almost all her time in the House of Commons talking about investment in major cities, but next to nothing about what financial support will be given to rural communities across Wiltshire.

“According to Government figures, over 21 per cent of people in England live in a rural area.

“And yet during the Chancellor’s statement, the word ‘rural’ was used only twice.

“Commitment after commitment flowed through for the industrial north, but not a word was said about the South West except with some throw away reference to Cornwall that had no relation to an investment pledge.”

Conservative MP for East Wiltshire, Danny Kruger, said: “Labour promised not to increase taxes on working people which they've done at the first opportunity.

“For East Wiltshire I am particularly concerned by the tax on family farms and agricultural land, and I worry for small businesses - the major tax increases on them will result in costs filtering down to employees, leading to lower wages and fewer people working.

“Most disappointingly, the one thing we do need to spend more on - defence - was not properly addressed.

“My constituency is home to more soldiers than anywhere else in the country and I'm very angry this wasn't prioritised.”

Liberal Democrat MP for Melksham and Devizes, Brian Mathew, said: "While I welcome aspects of the budget, especially additional funding for our NHS and for school rebuilding, especially in the face of the concrete crisis, I am concerned that increasing employer NI contributions will lead to fewer jobs and ironically less growth in the economy, which is what the government claim to be in favour of. Changes in inheritance tax will likely be devastating for local family farms across Melksham and Devizes, damage our rural communities and threaten food security.”

Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds, Roz Savage, said: “I have consistently campaigned for more investment in our local health services, so I am glad the Chancellor has finally listened.”

However, she expressed concerns about the changes to Employer’s National Insurance, to Agricultural Property Relief, winter fuel allowance cuts, the rise in the bus fare cap and “the failure to tackle” delays in SEND provision and social care.

She said: “We desperately need bolder action, and a braver vision from this new government if we are to get this country back on track for a brighter, fairer, more prosperous future for the South Cotswolds and the rest of Britain.”

Labour MP for Swindon South, Heidi Alexander, said: “This budget is a down payment on the change promised at the last election.

“By raising the minimum wage, protecting the pensions triple lock and increasing carers allowance, it will put more money into the pockets of those who need it most.

“It ensures essential investment in the NHS, more money for our schools and extra funding to fix our roads.

“This is a budget of a responsible Government - one which won’t duck the hard choices. 

“We’ll grow the economy, protect the payslips of working people and create the foundations on which real change can be built.”

Labour MP for Swindon North, Will Stone, said: “This was a budget about respect for the British People, paid for by responsible tax rises and common-sense re-evaluation of government investment, taking into account not just the costs but the benefits of investment too.

“A budget that upheld the Labour Parties Manifesto promises, not a penny on Income Tax, no increases to VAT and no rises to employee National Insurance contributions.

“Whilst we must fix the foundations of our economy, we also need to repair trust in politics – I believe this budget is a good start to achieving both of those aims.”  

The Conservative MPs for South West Wiltshire and Salisbury, Andrew Murrison and John Glen, were also contacted for comment.