Last week, I wrote to The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, asking her to keep Labour's promise to the British people, made just one year ago:
No rises in income tax, VAT or National Insurance
This pledge was clear, simple, and central to the trust that voters placed in them.
In recent weeks, I have been speaking with local businesses, employers, and self-employed workers across our community. Their message could not be clearer: they cannot absorb any more financial pressure. Rising costs, uncertainty, and the threat of higher taxes are creating an environment in which businesses struggle to plan, invest, or grow.
These are the very businesses that drive our local economy—creating jobs, supporting families, and bringing innovation and opportunity to our area. Yet many now feel that the policies coming from this Labour Government are doing the opposite of what was promised, holding back growth and discouraging investment.
I will continue to stand up for our local economy and for the people who depend on it.
