Responding to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, Meriden MP Caroline Spelman said: “I applaud the Chancellor for sticking to his guns in trying to steer our economy back on course. His Autumn Statement helps people who want to work and contribute to our economic recovery.
“Cancelling the 3p increase in fuel duty will help everyone who needs to use a vehicle for work or as an essential means of transport, particularly in the rural parts of my constituency. The extra tax relief for business on new machinery will help our manufacturers who are increasing their exports to emerging markets overseas. The state pension will increase by 2.5% in April but all other benefits, except those for the disabled, will increase by 1%. Savers will be helped by better terms for ISAs.
“Central government savings will be ploughed into infrastructure projects on roads, rail and flood defences, as well as extra money for FE colleges and new schools, so front line public services will not suffer as savings have had to be made. With crime down, hospital waiting lists down and school standards up, I salute the public servants who have made their contribution to helping Britain recover.
“I congratulate the Chancellor on a fair but robust set of measures which will help Meriden constituents as well as the country as a whole along the road to economic health.”