By Sarah Atherton

MP for Wrexham

Last Wednesday, the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt MP, delivered a positive Spring Budget for Wrexham. He outlined that since 2022, the UK Government has committed £94 billion to households across the UK to help combat the cost-of-living challenges (an average of £3,300 per UK household). These are unprecedented levels of support and I know that many residents and businesses in Wrexham are grateful for the UK Government’s significant financial support over the past couple of years.

The main announcement that the Chancellor made at the Budget was the 2% cut to National Insurance. Taken together with the measures at last year’s Autumn Statement, this means that an individual in Wrexham earning the average UK salary will save around £900 per year.

As a former brewer and Long Live the Local Parliamentary Champion, I have been pushing the Government to do everything that it can to support our pubs, brewers, and licensees. The Chancellor announced that the UK Government is freezing alcohol duty, once again, to keep the cost of a pint down. This measure will come as a relief to the Welsh hospitality sector, especially since the Welsh Labour Government is slashing the level of business rate relief from 75% to 40%, which will take effect from next month. In contrast, the UK Government is backing businesses in England by maintaining the 75% rate relief.

Prior to the Budget, I supported motorists by calling on the Chancellor to extend the 5p cut to the current level of fuel duty. I was delighted that the Chancellor listened and extended the fuel duty cut until March 2025, showing the UK Government is on the side of motorists. Meanwhile, as part of its continued attack on drivers, the Welsh Labour Government have stopped all new road building and introduced a disastrous 20mph policy that is slowing Wales down.

As a result of the Budget, the Welsh Government will receive almost £170 million from UK Government. This funding is in addition to the record £18 billion a year devolution settlement, where the Welsh Government receives £1.20 to spend on public services for every £1 spent in England. Labour’s age-old argument that Wales is ‘underfunded’ by the UK Government is simply untrue. Wales is well-funded, but Labour’s spending priorities are out of touch with the people of Wrexham.

Labour is making a political choice to underfund our local councils which means that residents in Wrexham are facing a 9.9% council tax increase this year. Now, let’s consider what the Welsh Government spends money on: £34 million on the unpopular blanket 20mph policy, £52 million on Cardiff airport and £120 million on more Senedd members. With the new First Minister set to take office shortly, the Welsh Government should stop funding their vanity projects and start spending money on the Welsh people’s priorities and properly fund our councils, health, and transport infrastructure.

Last Friday, we celebrated International Women’s Day. As the only sitting female MP to have had regular military experience and a member of the Defence Select Committee, it was a fitting time to reflect on the progress and challenges faced by women in our Armed Forces.

In 2021, I chaired a groundbreaking Defence Select Committee inquiry into the lived experiences of women in the military – ‘Protecting those who protect us’. After 18 months, 4,200 pieces of evidence, and testimonials from 10% of women serving in the military, the committee produced a 100-page report which outlined the problems women face in the military.

We heard accounts of kit that doesn’t fit the female form properly thus compromising personal safety and operational effectiveness; helmets (made for men) which sit too low, and body armour that rides up when women are crouched in a shooting position. We also heard cases of bullying, intimidation, sexual abuse, and even rape.

Although the Ministry of Defence still has progress to make in addressing inappropriate behaviours, significant strides have been taken since I led the report. Initiatives like the Zero Tolerance policy, setting up a Defence Serious Crime Unit with a victim support unit, the introduction of female-specific uniforms and the roll out of wrap around childcare represents significant progress.

As I remain closely involved with Veterans charities and as chair of the advisory board for the UK’s first Women’s Veterans Strategy, I am committed to amplifying the voices of serving women and women veterans. This day was a chance to reaffirm our commitment to empowering and recognising the contributions of women in the military, women veterans, their families, and beyond.

If you are a resident in the current Wrexham constituency boundary and need my assistance with any local or national issues, please contact me on: sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk.