Rishi Sunak is out of touch with the British people

Responding to the Budget announcement, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Christine McHugh said "Today the Chancellor's Budget failed to address the cost of living crisis that millions of people face across the country. People who work hard, pay their taxes and play by the rules deserve a fair deal. Instead the Chancellor could only offer record high taxes, benefits cuts and no answer to energy bills skyrocketing by the day.

"The greatest betrayal of this budget is the woeful lack of action to help our children recover from the pandemic. The Government's own catch-up tsar indicated that our children needed an investment of £15 billion to tackle what children have lost out on in the last 18 months. Instead the Chancellor has offered just £1 per school day and has spent more on cutting the price of prosecco than saving our children's futures.

"Just days before the most important climate conference in a generation, the Chancellor failed to mention the words "climate" or "environment" in his hour long speech and instead announced he will cut passenger duty on domestic flights and freeze fuel duty. These are not policies that are consistent with their claim to be a global leader on the environment. We desperately need ambition and commitment to our net zero goals, so that we can effectively respond to the climate emergency."

Mayor Dave Hodgson commented on the local aspects of the budget announcement: "We are very disappointed that the Kempston bid has received no investment from the Levelling Up Fund. This investment could have been used to boost the economic vitality of the town centre, by regenerating the existing spaces and improving the walking and cycling infrastructure.

"The Borough has also not been granted additional funding via the Ox-Cam Arc bid for alleviating traffic congestion and enhancing sustainable transport, which adds to the disappointment of this budget."