Julian reacts to the Chancellor’s Budget
March 21, 2013
Following the Chancellor’s budget yesterday, Julian has commented on what he thinks it will mean for his constituents and the nation as a whole.
Julian has particularly praised the Chancellor’s decisions to freeze fuel duty, cut beer duty, raise the personal allowance threshold and help those with aspirations of owning their own homes, with the Help to Buy scheme.
On the budget, Julian said:
“After raising in Parliament the damaging effects that the Beer Duty Escalator has had on pubs across the nation, I was really pleased to hear that the Chancellor will not only be scrapping the escalator but also reducing the duty by a penny per pint. Indeed, over 5000 pubs across Yorkshire and the Humber will benefit from the scrapping of this unfair tax on responsible drinkers.
“I also welcome the Government’s decision to continue freezing Fuel Duty for the second year in a row, something which I know has been very difficult with £6 billion worth in revenues lost to date. However, this decision to scrap the expected rise in September will save 2.7 million motorists in Yorkshire over £170 per year and it shows that difficult decisions are worth making.
“It was fantastic to hear that personal allowance will rise to £10,000 much sooner than expected, I know that this will immensely benefit over 4,000 people in York Outer, who will be taken completely out of tax after April 2014 by this Government’s historic decision.
“On the downside as a long term campaigner on this issue, I was slightly disappointed that Transferable Tax Allowances for families was not mentioned in the Budget. However, based on the responses I’ve received from the Government to questions I’ve raised in Parliament, I remain hopeful that it is a future government aspiration.
“From a local perspective, I must commend the Chancellor on announcing that Drax Power Station, near Selby, could be the first ‘clean coal’ power station in the world and in line to receive substantial support from the government to launch its carbon capture and storage scheme. Launching this fledgling green energy technology so close to York will not only benefit the environment, but also the local economy, by creating jobs for my constituents and people from across the area .
“Finally, I’m really glad the Chancellor is taking positive steps to improve the housing market and get more houses built. By contributing 20% of the costs through an interest free loan with their Help to Buy scheme, the Government will undoubtedly be lending a hand to a huge number of people. Homeownership gives people a stake in society and I’m really glad the government are giving more people the opportunity to achieve it.”
Picture: Julian with representatives from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in Westminster
