CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride has welcomed the Chancellor’s Spring Budget, delivered in the House of Commons today, Wednesday, March 8, highlighting an additional £2 billion of funding for social care over the next three years as especially good news.

Mr Stride was sitting close to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond throughout his speech.

Afterwards Mrs Stride said: “By successfully managing the nation’s finances, which helped our economy grow faster than the USA, Japan and France last year, the Government has been able to commit £2 billion for social care over the next three years.

“This will ensure more people get the care they need and help free up thousands of hospital beds across the country.

“Also welcome was the announcement of an extra £100 million to place more GPs in Accident and Emergency Departments across the UK, helping to identify which patients need urgent treatment and which do not need to be there, which will have a positive impact on A and E waiting times.”

Having launched and grown a successful business from scratch before entering Parliament, Mr Stride also welcomed measures to help those affected by business rate changes.

He said: “A total of 75 per cent of businesses will pay the same or less in business rates than they currently do, but the Chancellor rightly set out a number of policies to help the minority who may be adversely affected including a £300 million fund for local authorities to provide discretionary relief and a cap so rates rise by no more than £50 a month for small businesses losing their rate relief.

“Representing a highly rural constituency where village pubs are at the heart of many communities, I was also pleased that 90 per cent of pubs will receive a £1,000 discount on their business rates, giving hard-pressed landlords a welcome break.”

Alan Quick