Leader of Buckinghamshire Council responds to national Budget

Responding to Wednesday’s national Budget, Steven Broadbent, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, said:

“As fully expected, this disappointing Budget negatively impacts Buckinghamshire in many ways and offers little genuine relief for the vast majority of our residents – plus even more pressure for our local businesses.

“The freeze on income tax and National Insurance thresholds until 2031 will hit middle earners in Buckinghamshire the hardest, and increases in tax rates on property and savings income will affect not just the wealthy but also our retirees and those who are supplementing their income with savings or rental properties.

“The much-publicised savings, such as the £150 average reduction in household energy bills and the rail fare and prescription charge freezes, are only a drop in the ocean when it comes to the struggles faced by many of our residents. These changes are also only temporary and don’t even begin to address the underlying cost pressures people are facing.

“Predictably, once again, there is no significant increase in core local government funding. Councils are expected to deliver further “efficiency savings” and absorb rising demand across a range of statutory services within existing budgets. We are facing significant demand for Special Educational Needs services and yet there is still no clear government solution to this national problem.

“The new High Value Council Tax Surcharge on homes valued at over £2m is a new additional tax which will not benefit Buckinghamshire Council financially, as revenues go directly to central government.

“This Budget leaves our council, already pressured, with below inflation core spending power and with us being punished for prudently managing our finances. We’ve worked hard to find efficiencies and make considerable savings to offset the rising costs and demand from national policy choices.

“The Budget leaves Buckinghamshire Council facing continued financial strain, with unresolved risks and no meaningful new support from Whitehall. Our residents will face rising taxes and persistent inflation, continuing to erode income with none of this offset with real solutions. I will continue to make these points to the government in the strongest possible terms and fight for fairness for our residents.”