Warrington South Labour MP Sarah Hall shares her views in this week’s column

Last week’s budget was a budget for change. A budget that recognises the need to fix the foundations of our economy.

It sets out the first steps of this new Labour government’s plans to drive down poverty across every corner of the country, rebuilding Britain and our public services.

After 14 years of economic mismanagement under the Conservatives with billions of pounds of tax-payers money wasted, ideological austerity decimating our public services and the disastrous ‘mini budget’ that crashed the economy, sending bills spiralling and putting pensions at risk, you would be forgiven for believing there was no more damage they could do. Sadly, that was not the case.

On leaving Government it was discovered that the Conservatives had left behind a £22 billion black hole in our country’s finances. A toxic Tory legacy for the incoming Labour Government to put right.

The choices Chancellor Rachel Reeves and this Labour Government made in last week’s Budget, turn the page on the last 14 years. Cracking down on fraud and clawing back public money on things like the dodgy PPE contracts awarded under the last Government.

We are tackling tax avoidance and closing the loopholes that help the richest avoid paying taxes.

And, we are addressing waste across the public sector, cancelling things like Rishi Sunak’s £40 million VIP helicopter contract.

Where the Conservatives always asked working people to pick up the bill, Labour will ensure working people will not face higher taxes on their payslip. With no increase in employee’s National Insurance, Income Tax or VAT. This budget will boost pay for over 3 million of the lowest paid workers with an increase to the minimum wage. This is the start of a new chapter.

With more than £20 billion in additional funding for the NHS to cut waiting times, increase appointments and help people get back to work.

With more teachers to support the next generation to achieve their full potential and school breakfast clubs rolled out across the country. Because no child should go to school hungry.

Our plans will restore stability and drive investment into our economy for the homes, infrastructure, roads, and railways that our country needs and will create the good, secure jobs we need.

We are supporting people across Warrington South by preserving the Pension Triple Lock and increasing pensions by more than £470, reducing the cap on deductions from Universal Credit, increasing the carers allowance to £196, maintaining the bus fare cap, providing more than £1 billion in Household Support Funding and allocating and additional £1.8 billion to expand childcare.

In July this country voted for change. We voted to treat people with dignity and respect. Lifting up the vulnerable and offering hope and opportunity for all.

This budget marks the first steps in a new direction. The fresh start we so desperately need.