Like many others, I was keen to hear the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, deliver the Spring budget last week, and set out his plans for our economy and business as well as support for people with their energy bills. So, I was pleased to see the measures to continue providing help with energy bills, extend the provision of free childcare, retain talented doctors and nurses in our NHS and help people to get back into work.
I know that the announcement on the extension of financial support for energy bills will come as very welcome news to residents of Cheadle and neighbouring Stockport. I am delighted that the Chancellor has seen fit to extend this provision to provide key support to households, especially in light of the unseasonably cold weather we have been experiencing recently!
The Chancellor also outlined a £4 billion expansion of state childcare funding that will see children aged nine months to two years becoming eligible for fifteen hours of childcare a week, eventually increasing to thirty. This is a hugely welcome new provision, that I know is much needed and I am very pleased that this change has been made to enable more parents to remain in work, supporting their families as well as our local economy.
From childcare to retirement, significant announcements included the abolition of the pension lifetime allowance. This measure will ensure that there remains a financial incentive for experienced doctors and consultants to stay in their roles and continue to support our NHS. It also acknowledges the critical role that doctors, and consultants play in the health service and aims to attract and retain the best talent in the profession so we can ensure the NHS can provide the best care for patients, without losing too many experienced professionals to early retirement.
Speaking in the debate in Parliament, I welcome this Budget for growth and the measures to invest and innovate in the north and bring more investment to the Greater Manchester area. I will continue to make the case that only by levelling up the north and closing the regional productivity gap, will our country truly reach its full potential.
