A Budget that gives High Peak breathing space today and hope for the future

Last week’s Budget was about making the long-term choices Britain needs while recognising the pressures families are facing right now. For people across High Peak, that means practical help with household bills, support for working families and investment in our communities.

I know the cost of living remains a real concern. Whether it is the weekly food shop, heating your home or keeping up with essential bills, people want to know their money is going further.

The rise in energy bills is particularly concerning. The conflict in the Middle East has created further uncertainty and pushed up costs – a war we neither wanted nor supported. We are taking action to help people through these pressures.

Around 83% of homes, those in council tax bracket A-D, in High Peak will be eligible for the new £100 Household Energy Payment this winter. Earlier this year, we also provided local councils with £27 million to help people in rural areas with heating oil costs. It is now up to councils to distribute that funding to those who need it.

There are further measures to bring down energy costs, including plans to remove household gas standing charges and extending the temporary electricity VAT cut until June 2027.

Help with everyday essentials is also important. Suspending tariffs on more than 100 food and drink products will help reduce costs, while the National Living Wage will rise by 3.9% to £13.21 an hour from April next year.

One announcement I am particularly proud of is a new parental pay scheme for self-employed fathers and partners.

I have campaigned on this issue because becoming a parent should not mean choosing between spending precious time with your newborn and earning enough to pay the bills. Having brought together fellow MPs, the Dad Shift campaign and employers to discuss how we can improve parental leave, I am pleased that progress is being made.

From April 2029, qualifying parents will be able to receive up to £388.64 in parental pay. Around 80 self-employed dads a year in High Peak could benefit. It is a significant step towards fairer parental support.

I also want our local businesses to benefit. From Glossop and New Mills to Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith, independent shops, pubs and cafés are at the heart of our high streets. Increasing the threshold for Small Business Rate Relief from £12,000 to £18,000 means a further 70,000 retail, hospitality and leisure businesses nationally are expected to pay no business rates.

There is no pretending every challenge will disappear overnight. But people need to see that their Government understands the pressures they face and is taking action.

For High Peak, this Budget means help with energy bills, more support for working families, fairer parental pay and a boost for small businesses.

It is about giving people breathing space today and hope for the future. I will keep working to make sure our communities get the support, investment and opportunities they deserve.