The Chancellor very much laid out the challenges we face over the next few years due to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. I believe he has been very fair in laying out those challenges and how we are to pay down debt and revive the economy.
Over the last few weeks, I spoke to the chancellor and other ministers and said I wanted to see benefits rise with inflation and for the triple lock on pensions to remain. I also expressed my concerns over school funding. I am really pleased Jeremy Hunt has listened to myself and other colleagues and he has done just that, and these will rise by 10.1%
There will also be an extra £2.3 billion for schools in each of the next two years. This money equates to an average of £1,000 more for every pupil by 2025. This is an investment in our children and in our country’s future and it is most welcome. I also welcome the rise in the National Living wage by 9.7%, pushing up the hourly rate to £10.42 from April 2023.
I know many in our town are worried about energy costs. The household energy price cap has been extended until April 2024 and will be capped at £3,000 a year instead of £2,500. Households on means-tested benefits are to receive £900 support payments next year and additional payments of £300 to pensioner households, and £150 for individuals on disability benefits were also announced.
The government has shown it is protecting the most vulnerable.
