Cuts to fuel duty and other changes announced by the Chancellor have been welcomed by the leader of Staffordshire County Council.
The Spring Statement from Rishi Sunak saw him unveil a number of measures as the currently faces a cost of living crisis.
They include a 5p cut on fuel duty for the next year and another £500million for the Household Support Fund to allow councils to help vulnerable residents.
Cllr Alan White, leader of Staffordshire County Council, said it was important steps were taken to ease the pressure facing businesses and households.
“We are investing hundreds of millions of pounds in Staffordshire’s business, digital and education infrastructure so that new and existing employers can thrive here with a skilled workforce on the doorstep, but there’s no doubt that rises in energy, fuel and materials are affecting businesses and hampering post-pandemic recovery, as well as making a real difference to the day-to-day lives of residents.
“Therefore, I welcome the Chancellor’s decision to cut the price of fuel and make another allocation of the Household Support Fund, which this year has been worth £5.5million to Staffordshire residents, as well as promising future income tax cuts for workers, help for small businesses and more incentives for companies to invest in research and development.”
Cllr Alan White, Staffordshire County Council
The Chancellor also confirmed the threshold for National Insurance will be changed, meaning the level at which people will pay National Insurance will increase to £12,570 in July.
But Cllr White said that change could have an impact on “meaningful reform” to the social care sector.
“While the increase in the threshold for National Insurance is good news individually, that means the Treasury will receive less money overall from that direction.
“As part of that National Insurance income is earmarked for the future provision of social care as we try to move the funding burden away from local authorities, I would be anxious to ensure that there is still enough available for a meaningful reform of the current situation, which sees councils spend the largest proportion of their budgets caring for the vulnerable.”
Cllr Alan White, Staffordshire County Council
Well he would agree wouldn’t he? In real terms the ‘ordinary man in the street’ will be no better off.
£137…. Yes one hundred and thirty seven pounds a week. £7,132 pounds a year. That is the state pension.
There is much talk of the rich pensioners but these are the facts. People often refer to the equity held in some pensioners properties. Later life care can soon absorbs that.
I know there is a broader picture and many other sections of society struggle. I also know that the distribution of wealth is greatly in favour of the capitalistic interests.
This ‘budget’ does little to eleviate the current situation and the promise of a penny tax reduction in election year is a jam tomorrow bribe. There are many in this country who have been disenfranchised by this government. Only change can, hopefully, bring better prospects. It really is up to you.
Oh dear.
You realise many working people are no better off by this because of wider economics and certainly non working people aren’t and yet, Tory Tory Tory spin.
Talking out of his …. As usual,
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said that inflation and higher taxes on incomes would negate small wage increases for middle earners.
Low-income households will also feel “real pain” as the cost of living is set to increase faster than benefit payments, it has said .
Typical Tory spin. The piffling cut in fuel duty will make no difference at all, prices are going up far faster than that. And what is happening about the parlous state of our health service? The Tories will go down in history as the party that presided over the collapse of the NHS.
Thatcher was removed by the Conservatives for being too toxic. These days she wouldn’t be toxic enough.