Budget fails to reverse Labour attacks on rural Britain - MP

Commenting on today’s Budget, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: “For all the talk from the new Prime Minister and the Chancellor about having a fresh new approach and doing things differently, I’m bitterly disappointed to see them ploughing ahead with cuts and tax hikes to our rural communities.

“No changes to the cuts that our local NHS are having to make at a time when our A&Es are being stretched to breaking point.

“No changes to the family farm tax which has been a hammer blow to Cumbria’s hill farmers.

“No changes to their huge cuts to rural councils like Westmorland and Furness – cuts of £400 for each and every household in our area.

“No changes to National Insurance Contributions which have made it impossible for so many local businesses to take on new staff.

“And no changes for struggling households who rely on heating oil who desperately need a price cap on their energy prices."