STROUD MP Siobhan Baillie has given her reaction to today's budget announcement.

In particular, she praised the Chancellor Rishi Sunak for cutting Universal Credit taper relief, saying it will help many lower income families in Stroud.

Ms Baillie had campaigned for the relief to be changed since before she was elected through her work with the Centre of Social Justice. Recently, she has worked with the Treasury team and sat on the DWP Select committee.

In yesterday’s budget, Rishi Sunak announced he would cut the taper - which withdraws support as people work more hours - from 63 per cent to 55 per cent at a cost of £2 billion.

This means every extra pound a person on Universal Credit (UC) in work earns they will now lose 55p not 63p in benefits. The change is set to happen in weeks. The work allowance will also be increased.

The government claim that a single parent renting and on the national living wage will be better off by £1,200 and a couple in work and renting will be better off by £1,800 a year.

“This is something I think will be a significant help for lower income families across Stroud, the Valleys and Vale and I think the Chancellor deserves credit for listening to a groundswell of support from many places for action to be taken,” said Siobhan.

“It is particularly welcome following the end of the temporary £20 uplift in UC earlier this month. This shows the Government is listening and it recognises that some families are struggling as we recover from the pandemic and we face a rise in the cost of living.”

The Stroud MP also welcomed the end of the public sector pay freeze and the rise in the National Living Wage to £9.50 per hour.

The 50 per cent cut to business rates for one year for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors along with reform of the business rates system was also something she said would help with jobs and investment in the town.

Ms Baillie has been in touch with the Chancellor recently following discussions with local landlords. She is hoping Woodchester Valley Wines will be pleased with the cut in duty on English sparkling wine.

“Jobs, growth and wages are all up and this is good news considering the challenges we have faced since early 2020.

I will be going through the details now but I think this budget has struck the right balance. It has looked to improve the country’s Covid battered finances but it has also worked really hard to help as many people as possible as we recover from the pandemic.”