Alison Bennett MP calls on Chancellor to give Budget that delivers real change for Mid Sussex

Ahead of the Budget, local Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Sussex Alison Bennett, has said that the Chancellor “must deliver real change”,  including scrapping the unfair National Insurance hike and the family farm tax, as well as proper funding for local services.

Liberal Democrats say this Budget must be a turning point, delivering real economic growth, tackling the cost of living, saving our high streets and properly funding the NHS, schools and local councils, instead of leaving communities struggling with overstretched public services and rising costs.

Discussing the Family Farm Tax, Alison Bennett, Lib Dem MP for Mid Sussex, added:
“It is vital that the Family Farm Tax is abolished. If it is kept, it will clearly show that the Government does not understand rural communities at all, and it would be a devastating blow to family farms across Mid Sussex.”

Ms Bennett is also calling for the Chancellor to reverse the National Insurance hike. Local businesses and not-for-profits have suffered significantly over the last year; a local garden centre told Alison during a visit that they had to find an extra £25,000 to cover this hike over the last year. This business was forced to reduce their workforce as a result.

This policy also caused huge problems for the care providers. A local hospice shared with Ms Bennett that the NICs rise has cost them around £500,000, completely wiping out the grant funding they received from the government that year.

Alison Bennett, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Sussex, said: “Across Mid Sussex, families face soaring bills, businesses are being squeezed, and public services are on their knees.

“This Budget is the Government’s chance to deliver real change, but instead of growth and better services they have hammered small businesses, social care providers, high streets and hardworking families.

“How are we meant to rebuild a broken social care system when the sector is being further hit with unmanageable extra costs?

“The Conservatives left behind a damaged economy, but the Chancellor has repeatedly made the wrong choices. We need real change in Mid Sussex that tackles the cost of living, drives growth and makes big banks, tech giants and large online gambling companies pay their fair share, instead of punishing local businesses, hardworking families and farmers.”