‘Is that is?’: Wakefield MP and council leader call for general election in Budget response

By Tony Gardner
Published 7th Mar 2024, 09:08 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
Wakefield’s MP and council leader have called on the government to call a general election as they criticised the Budget.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a 2p cut in National Insurance contributions, an increase in the child benefit threshold and reforms to “non-dom” tax system in Wednesday’s spring Budget announcement..

Mr Hunt also announced a six-month extension to the household support fund, which gives local authorities money to help vulnerable people pay for energy and water bills, food and other essential items.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Other changes include an increase in the VAT threshold for small businesses and higher taxes on vapes and business class flights.

Wakefield’s MP and council leader have called on the government to call a general election as they criticised the Budget.Wakefield’s MP and council leader have called on the government to call a general election as they criticised the Budget.
Wakefield’s MP and council leader have called on the government to call a general election as they criticised the Budget.

Labour leader Keir Starmer described the Budget as a “last desperate act” with people paying “more and more for less and less”.

The comments were echoed in a statement by Denise Jeffery, leader of Labour-run Wakefield Council.

She said: “Whatever comes out in the detail of today’s budget, there will be far too many people who’ll feel worse off than they did just a few years ago. And especially since 2010.

Hide Ad