WE invited Thurrock MP Jen Craft to give us her opinion on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s budget.
Ms Craft said: “Today marks a historic moment as Labour unveils our first Budget since 2010, a pivotal step toward delivering on the promises we made to the people of this country during the election. As MP for Thurrock, I stand ready to support Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she unveils a comprehensive plan that prioritises investment, restores public services, and puts more money in working people’s pockets.
We were elected in July to bring about real change after years of Conservative mismanagement. Communities like those here in Thurrock have faced rising costs, stagnant wages, and a crumbling infrastructure. Today’s Budget is our response to these challenges—a commitment to rebuilding the foundations of our economy and empowering working people across the nation.
Today’s Budget is about investing in Britain and revitalising our vital public services, which have faced years of cuts and neglect. We have freed up tens of billions of pounds for infrastructure investment. We are allocating £1.5 billion to the NHS for new surgical hubs and essential diagnostic equipment, ensuring that healthcare is accessible and effective for everyone in our community. We are investing £1.4 billion to rebuild schools, expand childcare services, and enhance support for breakfast clubs and foster carers. This investment begins to address the issues that are raised with me repeatedly on the doors and will directly improve the lives of people in Thurrock.
Another of the cornerstone commitments of this Budget is the significant increase in the national minimum wage, which will rise to £12.21 an hour for workers over 21 starting in April. This increase will directly benefit over 3 million workers including thousands here in Thurrock, helping to ensure that hard work is fairly rewarded. For our younger workers and apprentices, we’re also making strides by significantly boosting their pay, reflecting our belief that everyone deserves a fair wage for a fair day’s work.
This commitment to increasing wages aligns with our broader promise to protect working people without placing an undue burden on them. By not raising personal income tax or national insurance for employees, we are offering certainty to working families while ensuring that larger companies contribute their fair share to the economy. This is about creating a fairer balance and recognising that the responsibility of rebuilding our economy should not fall on those who are already struggling.
This Budget is not just a financial plan; it embodies our vision for a fairer Britain. We promised to tackle the challenges people across the country face and to build a brighter future for everyone. As we take these steps today, we are fulfilling the mandate given to us by the people during the election.
