Local Member of Parliament, Charlie Dewhirst, has condemned the Government’s Budget as a £26 billion tax raid that introduces 43 new taxes, yet failed to make any provisions for Bridlington, Driffield, Hornsea, Market Weighton and The Wolds.
Setting out what it means for our local area, Charlie Dewhirst MP said: ‘Labour have left rural and coastal communities behind in this Budget that sees hard-working people, small businesses and rural areas shouldering the cost of increased welfare spending and lower economic growth.’
Charlie has set out 5 key points on what this means for our local area:
1. Local working people will pay more tax but get less back
Frozen tax thresholds and higher ‘stealth’ taxes mean local workers will be dragged into higher tax bands. Charlie explained: ‘If your pay goes up, even just to keep up with rising prices, but tax thresholds don’t increase too, more of your income is pushed into higher tax bands, so you’ll end up paying more tax even though you’re not actually earning more in real terms.’
2. Nothing for farmers facing rising input costs
There was no U-turn on the Family Farm and Business Tax, which was desperately needed. There is also no new support for agriculture despite soaring prices for fuel, feed and fertiliser. Charlie criticised the lack of support: ‘With labour shortages, and subsidies and environmental schemes scrapped, the farms in our local area have been left to struggle alone.’
3. Small businesses and the self-employed are hit hardest
Higher dividend taxes and reduced pension incentives punish owner-run businesses, farmers, tradespeople and rural service providers. ‘This Budget makes it more expensive to run a business in East Yorkshire, risking closures on our high streets and fewer local jobs.’ Charlie said.
Further, while the increase in National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage is good for low earners, it puts additional pressure on small businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, where they’re already feeling the pinch.
4. Investment funding goes to cities, not to rural or coastal towns
Despite big headlines about investment across the UK, the detail shows it is overwhelmingly targeted at major cities. ‘Bridlington, Driffield, Hornsea, Market Weighton and The Wolds miss out on digital and road upgrades, transport support, and the infrastructure we need’, Charlie commented. ‘As is always the case with Labour, it’s urban areas first, the countryside is disregarded.’
5. Car owners in our are disproportionately affected by a pay-per-mile charge
Despite the insistence that we should be transitioning to electric cars, the new pay-per-mile system for electric cars hits rural communities like ours hardest. Charlie comments, ‘We rely so heavily on our cars and have further to travel as we’re more remote. We rely on our cars to get to work, school, medical appointments and even the nearest supermarket. For families, farmers and tradespeople who drive as part of daily life, this is another slap in the face for rural communities like ours.’
There is a wider economic picture to consider too. Charlie highlighted, ‘Under this Government, growth is forecast down, inflation up, taxes up, unemployment up, borrowing up and debt interest up. Labour is ballooning the size of the state while hammering local taxpayers.’
“Rachel Reeves promised she wouldn’t come back for more tax rises – but here we are, with the highest tax burden in history and no plan to grow the economy. Working people in our area deserve better, and I’ll continue to speak on your behalf here and in Westminster.’
Charlie Dewhirst MP is always keen to hear what you think and help you. Share your thoughts and get support on this or any other matter by emailing him: [email protected].
