Political opinion with Tom Rutland MP: Breathing space for now with £100 off energy bills

Last week, the Chancellor delivered a budget focused on offering breathing space for now and hope for the future.  

Almost every household in East Worthing and Shoreham (those in council tax bands A-D) will receive £100 directly to their bank accounts to help with energy bills this winter, which are facing upwards pressures from the wars in Ukraine and Iran.  

We’re taking standing charges off gas bills and keeping VAT off electricity bills too, and fuel duty will remain frozen to help with the cost of getting around. To meet these global challenges, we’re fully funding the £15bn Defence Investment Plan and setting a clear path to spending 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035. 

The minimum wage and state pension will rise by 3.9%, self-employed dads will become eligible for parental leave, and the carer’s allowance cliff edge is being scrapped. To help first time buyers get a place of their own, the Government is also introducing a new 2.5% deposit scheme.  

Half of all retail, hospitality and leisure properties in the South East will no longer pay business rates thanks to increases in the relief thresholds, and another 670 businesses in Adur and Worthing will have their business rates frozen.  

In the constituency, I held one of my regular constituent surgeries in Lancing, met with Worthing Hospital leadership, doctors and nurses to discuss maternity services and winter pressures, spoke to the team behind Worthing Theatres and Museum about their exciting plans for the future, and joined Councillor Henna Chowdhury at the Six Seasons Bangla Festival, celebrating Bangladeshi culture and history.  

I also watched the Worthing FC match, laying a wreath for Remembrance and celebrating the Freedom of the Borough award for the club – and joined Climb For A Bloke at the Adur Outdoor Activities Centre mixing climbing with men’s mental health support.