Local MP Tom Gordon has slammed the Autumn Budget as 'another missed opportunity to deliver' for communities and businesses.
Representing Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom had called for measures to boost growth and support high streets – including scrapping the job tax, reforming business rates and cutting VAT.
These are changes local businesses have repeatedly told him they need to survive and thrive.
But Tom said that the Chancellor has ‘ignored these calls’ and her plans ‘heap more pressure on small businesses.’
The Chancellor also broke her pledge not to raise taxes.
Tom said:
“This Budget was a chance to deliver real change for communities like ours. Instead, the Chancellor has let Harrogate and Knaresborough down – piling pressure on small businesses, hammering high streets, and hitting hardworking families with higher taxes.
“And while communities like ours are taxed to breaking point, we’re getting nothing back. No investment in local infrastructure, no progress on dualling the Knaresborough-York line, and no improvements to the York ring road.
“The Conservatives left our economy in tatters, but Labour is making the wrong choices. We need a plan that drives growth without punishing local businesses and families.
“Harrogate and Knaresborough deserve better – and I’ll keep fighting for the funding and investment our community needs.”
Tom pledged to ‘keep standing up for our community’ and fighting for the funding and infrastructure Harrogate and Knaresborough ‘need to thrive’.
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