A Suffolk MP has criticised the Government’s latest Budget for failing to deliver for rural communities.
Adrian Ramsay, Green MP for Waveney Valley, argued there was little support for farmers and households reliant on heating oil in the Chancellor’s plans.
He said: "This Budget does little to help rural communities, with no extra funding for farmers and essentially no help for those struggling with home heating oil costs.
"Farming and nature feature in the Budget very little."
The Budget did include an extension of the 5p-per-litre fuel duty cut until July 1, 2027, and a temporary suspension of tariffs on kerosene heating oil.
Mr Ramsay did welcome measures to support high streets and hospitality businesses.
The Government announced an increase to Small Business Rate Relief thresholds, allowing qualifying retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with a rateable value of up to £18,000 to receive 100 per cent relief from April 2027.
He also raised concerns about new planning rules for data centres, warning they could make it easier to approve developments without fully considering their impact on electricity and water supplies.
Patrick Spencer, Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, welcomed the decision to freeze fuel duty but called for a permanent solution.
He said: "I am delighted that John Healey has responded to our calls and stopped the fuel duty rise planned for January.
"In rural Suffolk, a car is a necessity, not a luxury, and another tax increase at the pumps is the last thing families need.
"But this is only a six-month reprieve.
"The Chancellor should scrap the rise for good."
Mr Spencer also supported energy bill assistance but argued tax cuts would be a more effective way to help families.
He described the wider Budget as a "missed opportunity," pointing to the Office for Budget Responsibility’s economic forecasts, which predict GDP growth of 1.2 per cent in 2026, falling to one per cent in 2027.
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott welcomed the measures, saying the Budget put “working people in Ipswich front and centre”.
He highlighted help with energy costs, saying nearly 60,000 households in Ipswich were set to receive £100 off their bills.
Mr Abbott said: “When every pound counts, that will make a real difference, and there is more to come with the abolition of standing charges and an extension of the fuel duty freeze.”
He also welcomed measures aimed at small businesses, particularly those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.
“Our independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants are a huge part of what makes Ipswich special, but it has been a tough industry to operate in for many years,” he said.
Meanwhile, Peter Prinsley, Labour MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, offered a more positive assessment, saying there was “lots to celebrate” in the Budget.
He welcomed measures to reduce energy costs and the cost of living, including the £100 payment for households in council tax bands A to D and plans to remove gas standing charges.
Mr Prinsley also highlighted increases to the minimum wage and National Living Wage, support for carers and changes to business rates which he said would help small high street businesses.
He said: “If I had to pick out just a few of the things that I think will make the greatest difference to families and businesses in Bury,” they would also include support for pensioners, the removal of import taxes on more than 100 food products, kerosene and fertilisers, and paid paternity leave for self-employed fathers.
Mr Prinsley added that the measures would be funded in part by “taxing gambling and bank profits”.
James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, was critical of the Budget, describing it as a “huge disappointment” and a “real damp squib”.
He said some of the smaller measures were welcome, but argued the Budget lacked the major reforms needed to boost economic growth, reduce national debt and support rural communities.
Mr Cartlidge said: “There was also next to nothing for farming and rural communities.
“The fact is, our national debt will be higher after this Budget, when we needed a Budget to get on top of our debts.”
He was particularly critical of the absence of welfare reform and called for greater spending on defence.
The shadow defence secretary said: “In a dangerous world, and amid economic turbulence, we needed real leadership.”
He added that the Government had delivered “a set of minor announcements” rather than the significant changes he believed were required.
Nick Timothy, Jess Asato and Jenny Riddell-Carpenter were approached for comment.
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