Moorlands MP, Karen Bradley has welcomed this Budget that marks the start of record level of investment in the people’s priorities - infrastructure, the NHS and public services – to ensure the promises in the General Election in December are kept and the potential of every part of the United Kingdom, including the West Midlands, is unleashed.
Increases in the National Insurance threshold and the National Living Wage announced in the Budget will mean families keep more of the money they earn, while tens of millions of pounds of investment in the region’s roads, rail, housing, broadband and flood defences will ensure everyone can have the same chances and opportunities in life wherever they live.
Announcements for the West Midlands include:
- Creating a £4.2 billion Local Public Transport Fund for combined authority areas to dramatically improve bus and train services in their areas.
- Investing £700 million on major strategic road schemes over the next five years.
- Providing £54 million of additional funding for local road maintenance through the Potholes Fund in 2020-21.
- Ensuring the West Midlands receives its share of funding for flood and coastal defences.
- Providing £20 million for the Midlands Rail Hub – a series of upgrades to improve connections between cities and towns across the Midlands.
- Delivering £21.3 million for a Trade, Tourism and Investment Programme to take full advantage of the opportunities of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Commenting, Karen said:
“I am delighted that we have set out measures to support families and help them with the cost of living, while continuing to invest in Britain’s future responsibly – laying the foundations for a decade of growth and prosperity.
“I welcome measures to back businesses – eligible retail, leisure or hospitality businesses with a rateable value below £51,000 will, over the next financial year, pay no business rates whatsoever and businesses currently eligible for the small business rates relief will receive a £3,000 cash grant per business.
“I also welcome the announcement to freeze duty rates on beer, spirits, wine and cider – many of you have contacted me about this.
“Investment will reach record levels over the next five years, as the Conservatives commit to levelling up across the country – benefitting families and businesses in all corners of the country including Staffordshire Moorlands.
“This is the first Budget delivered outside of the EU for more than five decades. It sets out a clear, one nation, path for the Government to get things done.”