On Wednesday the Chancellor delivered the first Budget for a majority Conservative government since November 1996. In it he outlined the plans to finish the work that has already been done on the deficit, keep moving to a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare economy and put security first for families across the country.
In the budget George Osborne set out the key steps this government will take to deliver on promises made during the election.
The Budget:
- Sets out a balanced plan to cut the deficit in the same rate as in the last Parliament, working to achieve a surplus. Forecasts indicate show that Britain will be the fastest growing major advanced economy for the second year in a row, but the deficit is still too high. This plan will ensure the economic security of a country that lives within its means.
- Guarantees the financial security of lower taxes and a new National Living Wage. The new National Living Wage will mean two and a half million people will get a direct pay rise. Those currently on the minimum wage will see their pay rise by over a third this Parliament – a cash increase for a full time worker of over £5,000. There will be further support for working people with an increase in tax-free personal allowance. This means that someone will be able to earn £11,000 before paying any income tax at all. The 40p rate of tax will also be increased to £43,000, lifting 130,000 people out of the higher rate. For Sutton, the rise in the personal allowance will mean lower taxes for around 40,487 people working here, with an estimated 851 people taken out of income tax altogether.
- Secures growth by cutting tax on business, with Corporation Tax reduced to 18%. This will send a strong message that Britain is open for business, building on the work already done to take this rate to the lowest in the G20 and align it for large and small businesses alike.
- Commits to meeting the NATO pledge to spend 2% of our national income on defence every year this decade, securing our national security and our ability to defend our values.
I believe it will improve life and deliver security throughout our Royal Town.