UK Budget 2026 criticised by Ripon MP for 'asking more of taxpayers while giving too little back'

Ripon’s MP has condemned the UK Autumn Budget 2026 as one that “asks more of taxpayers while giving too little back”.

Commenting after Chancellor John Healey’s low-key speech, Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE was giving his views on the Autumn Budget which had been trailed in advance as “giving families and businesses breathing space from rising costs” but has been criticised as “underwhelming”.

“The Budget tragically misses the chance to properly back the people who keep rural Britain going: our farmers, small businesses, hospitality sector and local employers,” said Mr Smith, who has been the Tory MP for Skipton and Ripon since 2010.

"Farmers will be particularly disappointed.

“While the Chancellor has announced a temporary suspension of fertiliser tariffs and extended relief on red diesel, there is little in this Budget that addresses the deep financial pressures facing farming businesses or restores confidence in the sector.

“Rural communities need a government that backs food production, family farms and long-term investment in British agriculture, not one that continually asks farmers to shoulder more uncertainty.”

Mr Smith, who served as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chief Whip under Prime Minister Theresa May, also pointed to a lack of strong enough measures to support business.

"The Government has also failed to tackle the issue of VAT for hospitality businesses,” said the Skipton and Ripon MP.

“Pubs, hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions remain under significant pressure from rising costs, and many businesses across North Yorkshire have argued for targeted VAT relief to help them remain competitive.

“Despite recognising the importance of hospitality to local economies, the Budget offers no reduction in VAT for the sector.

"On defence, Labour talks about long-term ambitions, but the world is becoming more dangerous now.

“While the Budget repeats those long-term ambitions for higher defence spending, commitments are vague and delayed yet again.

"The Government has announced several measures aimed at helping people into work, but they fall well short of what is needed to create opportunity at the scale our economy requires.

“Young people in particular need better access to apprenticeships and practical skills training.

“This is a Budget that asks more of taxpayers while giving too little back. “

The Skipton and Ripon MP reserved some positive words for a single issue.

"One measure I do welcome is the extension of Founders Relief,” said Sir Julian Smith.

“Entrepreneurs and small business owners who take risks and create jobs deserve to be backed, and this is a sensible step.

“Unfortunately, it is one of the few genuinely pro-growth measures in a Budget that otherwise does too little for many businesses, farmers and rural communities."