Budget offers welcome help for families in our community
Whenever I'm out speaking to residents across the constituency, the cost of living is never far from the conversation. Whether it's the weekly food shop, filling up the car or keeping the house warm, I know that many families are still having to watch every penny.
That's why I was pleased to see Wednesday's Budget focus on giving households some breathing space, with measures that should make a difference to people here in North Wales.
One of the biggest announcements was a £100 cost of living payment for around one million Welsh households. With winter approaching and energy bills still a worry for so many, this will be welcome news. The Welsh Government has confirmed that households in council tax bands A to D will benefit.
I'm particularly pleased about the decision to remove the 4% tariff on heating oil. Many households across rural Clwyd East rely on heating oil, and I've been pressing for action in Parliament after hearing directly from residents about the rising costs they're facing.
This is welcome news, but as I wrote in last week's column, I also want to see further action to regulate the heating oil industry, including looking seriously at a price cap to give households greater protection from sudden price rises. I'll continue pushing for progress on this.
There was further help for motorists, with the 5p cut to fuel duty extended until the end of June next year. That's important in an area like ours, where many people depend on their cars to get to work, attend appointments or simply go about their daily lives. The continued reduction in red diesel duty will also be welcome for farmers and other rural businesses.
The National Living Wage will rise to £13.21 an hour, while the extension of zero VAT on household electricity until the end of June 2027 will offer some further relief with bills.
The Budget also provides an additional £450 million for the Welsh Government, supporting the public services we all rely on. I know how important our NHS, schools and local services are to residents, and I want to see that investment making a difference in communities across Wales.
In just over 100 days as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham and his Government have already taken steps to give families some much-needed breathing space. With the ongoing war in Iran and wider global uncertainty continuing to put pressure on household budgets, these are difficult economic circumstances.
But I'm pleased that the Government is focusing on the everyday costs that matter to people, and I'll continue working to make sure families across Clwyd East benefit from that support.
Today (Friday), Prime Minister Andy Burnham is meeting Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth in Glasgow to discuss closer cooperation between the UK and Welsh Governments. With North Wales so closely connected to the North West of England, I see enormous opportunities for better transport links, investment and good jobs if both governments work together.
I'll continue making sure our area's voice is heard in those discussions, while doing everything I can to help residents with the issues affecting them here at home.
As always, if there's anything I can help you with, please get in touch with my office on 01352 871130 or through my website at www.beckygittins.co.uk.
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