Tom Gordon MP Budget response: I will hold the government’s “feet to the fire” on funding for Harrogate & Knaresborough.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom Gordon has said the extra funding for the NHS announced in the Budget must deliver improved health services for local people, including through extra GP and NHS dentist appointments.

Tom Gordon MP said he will “hold the government’s feet to the fire” on delivering on their promises on the NHS. He added that fixing social care will be crucial to take pressure off local health services and give older people the care they need.

Tom said: “ I have consistently campaigned for more investment in our local health services so I’m glad the Chancellor has finally listened. 

“The Liberal Democrats will now be holding the government’s feet to the fire on the promises they’ve made, so people here in our part of Yorkshire can finally see a GP or dentist when they need to.

“ Sadly the new government has repeated the Conservatives' mistake of neglecting social care. We urgently need cross-party talks to tackle this crisis so older people stranded in hospital beds can finally get the care and dignity they deserve.

It was also revealed that employer national insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15%, alongside lowering the threshold where businesses start paying NI earnings from £9,100 to £5,000. 

Tom Gordon expresses concern over this policy: “ Both Harrogate and Knaresborough have local economies that rely heavily on small and medium sized businesses. Labour’s policy is reckless in its approach and will put already struggling businesses in more jeopardy. In areas like ours, we all feel it when local businesses are struggling, so this change really worries me.

" The government should instead be raising the money we need by reversing tax cuts for the big banks and asking the social media giants to pay a bit more.”

The Chancellor also reaffirmed that VAT would become applicable to independent school fees. Tom Gordon has expressed concern over this policy’s unintended consequences, including this weekend when he appeared on BBC Politics North. He shared the story of a constituent who met him in Parliament who works in the NHS and will now have to leave for the private sector in order to afford the VAT implementation. Liberal Democrats have been clear and consistent that taxing education is wrong.

Tom is unimpressed with the direction of the budget. He comments:

“ We’ve heard a lot from Labour about change both before and after the election - but the budget just reads as more of the same to me.

“The Conservatives left our economy stagnating, and Labour’s budget tells me that they’re only interested in continuing to stifle growth.

“Their budget is one that I’m afraid is going to impact those who are already struggling the most, from parents of SEND children to those who rely on buses to get to work and to the tenant farmers who will be shafted by Labour’s changes to agricultural property relief. 

“ I am however pleased to see that Labour have taken notice of the Lib Dem campaign to win carers a fair deal and are increasing carers allowance. I hope the government will continue listening to the Lib Dems on care and enact meaningful system reform and get rid of the ‘cliff edge’ many carers feel they face ”

The budget did not just expose Labour’s lacklustre direction for the economy, but reaffirmed that the Conservatives remain unfit to govern. It was revealed that the Conservatives had not budgeted for infected blood scandal compensation, despite committing to compensate victims.

Tom Gordon said: “ The Conservatives yet again show themselves to be totally shameless. They promised to compensate the victims of this horrific scandal but completely failed to set aside the funds to pay them.

It goes to show that not only are the Conservatives entirety unfit for Government, but equally as unfit to be leading the opposition”

ENDS