A Missed Opportunity - The Spring Statement

Last week’s Spring Statement was a chance for the Government to help struggling families and businesses in Woking and beyond. Unfortunately, it was a missed opportunity.

The Chancellor had the chance to scrap the unfair jobs tax and reform outdated business rates.

Instead, the Government is pushing ahead with the rise in Employers National Insurance Contributions. Small businesses are being hit with higher costs at a time when they are already struggling. This is the last thing they need.

There is a clear alternative—instead of squeezing small businesses, we should be asking big banks, social media giants, and online gambling firms to pay their fair share.

We need fairer business rates, targeted support for independent shops, and a tax system that doesn’t punish local entrepreneurs while global corporations get away with paying next to nothing. This is something that I will continue to push for in the coming weeks and months.

I was also very disappointed at the confirmation of cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP). This at a time when people need them the most – household bills on water, gas and electricity are set to rise imminently.

PIPs are used to help cover the additional costs of managing a health condition – such as accommodation and transport. They enable recipients to be productive members of society. I will press the Government to reconsider.