Rebecca Harris MP has welcomed the Government’s Autumn Statement, which will help working families in Castle Point, finish bringing down the deficit so Britain lives within its means, and tackle the long-term challenges facing our economy so Britain is more productive and our economy is fit for the future.

She welcomed the announcement that fuel duty would be frozen for the seventh successive year. This will save the average car driver £130 a year and the average van driver £350 a year. Rebecca was also pleased to hear that £102 million of LIBOR fines will be given directly to causes benefitting the armed forces and the emergency services, including air ambulance charities.

The Autumn Statement sets out the action the Chancellor will take to put ordinary working families first:

• Helping ordinary working families who are struggling to get on.
• Bringing down the deficit to get the country back to living within its means.
• Tackling long-term challenges and making Britain more productive.

The National Living Wage for those aged 25 and over will increase from £7.20 per hour to £7.50 per hour. That means over £1,400 a year more for a full-time worker previously on the National Minimum Wage. £4.3 million will be spent on helping small businesses understand the rules and on cracking down on employers who are breaking the law by not paying the minimum wage.

Rebecca welcomed these measures as good news for ordinary working families in Castle Point:

“The action announced in this Autumn Statement will help local people who are just about managing, and ensure that our economy is fighting fit as we begin the process to leave the European Union. Increasing the National Living Wage, building more homes that local people can afford, ending tenants’ fees and continuing the fuel duty freeze for the seventh successive year will help families across our area make ends meet. By backing businesses, investing in our transport networks and securing world-class digital infrastructure, we will keep Britain moving and support our economy for the future.

Freezing fuel duty is a huge boost to drivers in Castle Point– and of massive benefit to local businesses in our community. I’m delighted the Chancellor listened to our concerns. He is absolutely right to put more money in the pockets of people in Castle Point. This is about putting ordinary working families in Castle Point first, and building an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.”