North East political figures have reacted to the Autumn budget - and while some have called it a “historic day for Britain”, others argue the Government has “broken promises”.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (Wednesday, October 30) laid out her plans to “fix the foundations” of the economy and plug the “black hole” left by Conservatives.
The budget, Labour’s first since 2010, saw Ms Reeves promise to “invest, invest, invest” - with highlights including commitment to the pension triple lock, the freezing of fuel duty next year, and a boost in the national living wage.
In the North East, announcements included £25 million for the Crown Works Studio in Sunderland, and confirmation that Hartlepool primary school St Helen’s would be rebuilt.
You can read about all of the announcements in today’s budget - and most importantly how they will affect you - in our piece here.
A string of Labour MPs have come out in support of the Autumn Budget, which has been branded as putting the North East on course to become “the home of real opportunity”.
However, it has been met with some criticism, with Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen arguing the budget brought nothing but “massive tax rises” for people in the region.
Here’s what MPs across the North East had to say.
Darlington MP Lola McEvoy said the budget will “unravel Tory decay” and give the Government tools to tackle child poverty.
She said: “These are the first steps towards fixing the foundations, so we can provide the change this country and the North East desperately needs. Most of all, today’s Budget is an investment in Britain’s future.
“There’s no doubt the Chancellor had to make some tough decisions to enable this, but these were unavoidable after the Tories left us such an awful inheritance, in particular their £22bn black hole of unfunded spending which we are now having to clean up.
“In contrast, every penny of Rachel Reeves’ plan is properly costed, and what’s more every move has been made with the clear goal of allowing investment in our health service, boosting our economy and giving working people a better deal.
“I’m particularly excited by the big increase to the national living wage which means more money in people’s pockets and being spent on our high streets.”
Alan Strickland, MP for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, said it set out plans to fix the foundations of our country.
He said: “Our area will benefit from the National Living Wage increase, freeze on fuel duty, school rebuilding funds and an NHS cash boost to cut waiting lists.
“I’m also delighted the government has committed £1bn to end the mineworkers’ pension scandal. These are important steps in making Britain and our community better off."
‘Lot of good news’ for North East
Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said there was a “lot of good news” for people in the constituency, nodding to the minimum wage boost and NHS investment.
He said: "The changes to carers allowance, reducing universal credit deductions, and confirmation of funding for the Infected Blood and Post Office Horizon scandals compensation are most welcome and delivers more money to people who really need it.
“I need to study the detail of the Budget but it will clearly make a massive and positive difference to so many people’s lives.
"It hasn’t been possible to right all the wrongs of 14 years of incompetence and maladministration of Tories but it is a great start to doing exactly that founded as it is on stability, investment and improving the living standards of millions of people.
“There are issues that remain outstanding such as the inequity of the two child cap and immediate fuel poverty and though I think there is a strong argument for the Government going even further to deliver greater fairness on tax, I'm very pleased an increase has targeted the super wealthy, whether that is scrapping the non-dom rule, increasing capital gains and air passenger duty on private flights, and on the oil and gas giants. This is right and let's continue in that vein.
“There is a lot to do and a lot to deliver - and I will keep arguing for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East - but this is a budget which will start to turn the corner.”
Hartlepool and Billingham also had £20 million investment projects confirmed for the town centres today, described as a “huge moment” by MPs.
Jonathan Brash, Hartlepool MP, said it was proof of the Labour Government’s commitment.
He said: “Since being elected I have met with the Chancellor and ministers in the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government to secure this transformative funding for our town and I am delighted that we have achieved it in this budget.
“This is just the beginning of the major investment that I want to see for our brilliant town over the next months and years. We are taking the tough decisions to grow our economy, rebuild our public services and ensure a brighter future for our town.
"We are rebuilding our schools, investing in our NHS, cracking down on crime and making Hartlepool a better place for us all to live. Hartlepool is my home, it's my family’s home and I will always fight for it.”
Meanwhile, Stockton North MP Chris McDonald said it was a “big win” for Billingham.
Elsewhere, plans were unveiled for 11 new green hydrogen projects across England - one of which will include EDF Renewables Tees Green Hydrogen.
Luke Myer, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, said it was “fantastic” news.
He added: “It not only puts our area at the centre of an emerging clean energy industry but also promises new, high-quality jobs and local investment.
“Supporting projects like Tees Green Hydrogen will drive economic growth while helping us meet our climate goals. This is exactly the kind of long-term thinking we need to see.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness also spoke on her joy at the Crown Works Studios investment, and the announcement that the North East Combined Authority will get a single flexible pot for investment in 2026-27.
She said: “Today’s Budget confirmed the biggest transfer of powers and resources from Westminster to the North East in a generation.
“The Chancellor has listened to my calls to back our region with a new integrated settlement, which means we as local leaders can invest in the priorities that matter to people in the North East.
“The Government is backing our plans to create manufacturing jobs in the North East, with investment in our car industry and potential in electric vehicles.
“I’m pleased the Treasury has listened to my calls to save the £25m investment in the Crown Works Studios, so we can unlock 8,000 jobs and build a creative powerhouse on the banks of the River Wear.
“That means jobs for people in a range of industries, from hairdressers, electricians, make up artists, to set designers and script writers.
“Taken with new powers to help people back into work, the Budget means new jobs, new training, new homes and new opportunities for people in the North East.
Labour Government ‘broke promises’
While Ben Houchen has not provided a full comment, he posted online about “massive tax rises” and asked people to read the document in full.
Here is the post below:
Stockton West MP Matt Vickers said the Government has “broken their promise” due to “enormous tax rises” on working people.
He said: “They’re whacking up taxes on working people’s jobs, their homes and their savings. And they’ve refused to back down on their cuts to winter fuel.
“Train drivers on £65k will be getting pay rises of as much as £10k whilst pensioners on as little as £13k are having their winter fuel payments torn from their hand.
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“The announcements will hurt our businesses on our highstreets. The British Chamber of Commerce has said that this is a tough budget for businesses to swallow.
“Slashing Business rates relief from 75 per cent to 40 per cent for our hospitality, retail and leisure sectors will damage those businesses that are the backbone of our highstreets. For example, the average business rates bill for pubs will increase from £3,938 to £9,451.
“The OBR have now downgraded the UK’s growth prospects. Labour promised they would not increase borrowing, but they have hiked borrowing by billions of pounds in every year of the Parliament, which the OBR says will push up inflation and mortgage rates – hammering working people and leaving our children and grandchildren left to pick up the pieces of Labour’s financial irresponsibility.”
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