Harrogate MP 'underwhelmed' by measures for the public and economy in Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has lambasted the Autumn Budget as “lacklustre with little substance” when it comes to the economy and the cost of living.

“After years of government chaos and failure, we can only end the brutal cost of living crisis and fix broken public services if we get the economy growing,” said Mr Gordon.

“We need a real growth plan with Europe at its heart.

“Labour must fix the Conservatives' botched Brexit deal by joining the single market and a customs union, using the billions that it raises to cut people's taxes and cut people’s bills.

“Until the Government plucks up the courage to do that, any Budget will just tinker around the edges.”

The Lib Dem MP said he was also underwhelmed by the scale of support for the public and businesses in Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget.

“The Government is right to look at standing charges for energy but there are groups with high energy use like large families, low-income families with medical needs and people in poorly insulated homes risk losing out.

“The Lib Dem Essential Energy Guarantee would cut energy bills by giving households an essential amount of energy equal to half of typical consumption and better target it to people who really ned it.

“People need a guarantee, not temporary support when fuel duty will go up in January and VAT will go back on electricity bills in April.

“Business rate relief is only one part of the puzzle when it comes to solving the problems Labour made in their first two years,” said Mr Gordon.

“Hiking NICs and ignoring hospitality businesses as they cry out for a VAT cut.

“We want thriving high-streets in Harrogate and Knaresborough where families can feel confident going out for a meal won’t cost an arm and a leg this half term. “

In this last thought, at least, Harrogate’s MP is on a similar page to his predecessor, Andrew Jones, the Tory MP he defeated in 2024 who is now Chairman of Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservatives.

Mr Jones condemned the Budget for “failing to rise to the occasion”, though he praised the Chancellor’s measures to devolve business rates revenue to elected mayors.

"After two budgets that have been widely slammed for breaking promises, increasing taxes and ignoring challenges such as defence and welfare, this budget has fallen into the same trap,” said the Chairman of Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservatives.

"This budget failed to rise to the occasion. The gap between what the government has announced today and what our country needs is huge.

"Big challenges ducked or decision day postponed and instead a flurry of small measures announced.

“I counted nearly 100 and they were announced at speed. This is one time when reading the small print will matter enormously.

"There were some things I thought were positive.

“For example, letting mayors keep more of the business rates raised locally is sensible because it incentivises them to promote economic growth.

“I supported it when it was launched in 2013 and would again.

"But the big picture is taxes will be at their highest level ever and going up, benefit spending at its highest level ever and going up.

“Unemployment is going up, too.

“This was billed as a steady as you go budget, but we don’t need steady as you go when you are heading in the wrong direction."

But Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon is also highlighting defence as an area where the Government is under-performing.

“It is disgraceful that after pitching Labour as serious on defence, Healey and Streeting are cutting the military's resource budget by nearly £1 billion next year,” said Mr Gordon.

“This will leave our troops worse off and undermine our security. Shameful.

“Lastly, the Government must use the Budget to make our country safer, by properly investing in our national defence.

“We Lib Dems have set out a bold plan to raise vital funding for our armed forces through defence bonds - £20bn over two years - which can unlock billions to make our country safer, while spurring investment and economic growth.”