Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Uttoxeter Echo. This column was originally featured in the 29th March print edition.
I was pleased to hear the Chancellor deliver a Budget earlier this month which focused on what I know to be the priorities of residents in Uttoxeter and the surrounding villages. The measures announced give further reassurance and financial support to families with cost-of-living concerns, including the extension of the Energy Price Guarantee at £2,500 for three months and freezing fuel duty for a thirteenth year, saving the average driver around £200. It is also the case support was announced to help with the cost of childcare too, including extending 30 hours of childcare a week to working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years.
Another measure which I know will be welcomed by residents is the extra £200million which will be given to local authorities to increase the number of pothole repairs. For us, Staffordshire County Council is set to receive a further £4,456,400 to improve the condition of our local roads - another great win and something I have been pushing Ministers and the Chancellor on throughout the past year.
Uttoxeter is at the heart of the North Midlands Manufacturing Corridor (NMMC) and so I was particularly pleased to see the focus in the Budget on science and technology. As Project Champion of the NMMC, I am continuing to lead the call, along with Midlands Connect, for investment into the A50/A500, to improve journey times for residents and support businesses in our region. JCB is leading the way in innovation with the development into hydrogen technology, powering heavy manufacturing vehicles with alternative fuels. We must do all we can to invest in this critical road for our region and to support businesses, which will help develop our economy, create jobs and improve transport locally.
I welcome the announcements in this Budget and what they mean for residents in our area. By helping families with living costs and supporting our local economy, the Government can press on with delivering its priorities of halving inflation, growing the economy and reducing debt to improve living standards for everyone.
