COLUMN: Harriett Baldwin MP writes for The Observer - The Malvern Observer

COLUMN: Harriett Baldwin MP writes for The Observer

Malvern Editorial 5th Aug, 2015 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

Westminster Diary by Harriett Baldwin MP

LAST month the Chancellor took the opportunity to set out a summer Budget to help secure the success of our long-term economic plan.

He also set out some important measures which will help to support working people and there were some strong positive announcements for the thousands of small businesses based in the county.

Encouraging growth across the region was one of the Chancellor’s key aims and he set out plans for the Midlands to become an ‘Engine for Growth’.




Locally, the Budget has delivered a tax cut for 4.5 million people across the Midlands, taken an additional 94,000 out of income tax all together. Lower paid workers will be benefitting from a significant pay rise. Over 330,000 working people across the Midlands will gain from the introduction of the National Living Wage.

The Chancellor also outlined measures for the doubling of the amount of free childcare for working parents of three and four year olds – meaning thousands of Worcestershire families will now receive 30 hours of free childcare a week.


Many constituents raised the issue of Inheritance Tax on the door step during the election campaign and I know local people will welcome increase in the tax threshold.

Alongside wide-ranging reforms to help working people at every stage of their lives, the Budget announces major new investments in infrastructure, enterprise, skills and education to help deliver more jobs and investment.

We all look forward to investment in the county’s transport infrastructure and £5 million has been allocated to develop a new transport strategy as well as up to £20million which will be made available for new stations. Worcestershire LEP and Worcestershire County Council will feed into this approach which will report a detailed plan in the autumn.

At the heart of our plans is an ambition to build a world class transport system, to hand over new powers to local leaders and to invest in science, education and skills. It was a budget which will help to secure our long-term economic success and provides the perfect platform to support growth across Worcestershire and beyond.

I had the privilege to work with the Chancellor as he put together this summer Budget. It puts security first. It delivers economic security so Britain lives within its means, financial security for families, and national security for all.

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