‘A good start’ - Jarrow and Gateshead East’s MP welcomes the government’s budget measures
The Member of Parliament for Jarrow and Gateshead East has welcomed the measures set out by the government in the Budget.
The Jarrow and Gateshead East MP has branded the government’s 2026 Budget as a “good start” to helping millions across the country.
Kate Osborne MP has welcomed many measures that there announced by Chancellor John Healey on Wednesday, October 28.
Included in the Budget was a 3.9% rise of the national minimum wage and national living wage and 20 million households receiving a £100 energy payment.
Praising the Budget
Following the Budget announcement, Ms Osborne was full of praise for many aspects of it and believes that the measures will help her constituents.
The Jarrow MP commented: “The Budget is a good start to put money and power back in every postcode. It was great to see the Prime Minister’s promise of hope and real change backed with action.
“I particularly welcome the abolition of standing charges on gas bills for around 23 million households, a huge and long-overdue change that will save millions of families money.
“This alongside other measures to ease the cost-of-living such as VAT on household electricity being cut to zero, fuel duty frozen, and tariffs removed from 100 essential food items, will make a tangible difference to my constituent’s day-to-day lives.
“These measures are sorely needed, and will really help my constituents of Jarrow and Gateshead.”
Calls for a wealth tax
Despite praising many measures in the Budget, the Jarrow MP has called for the government to implement policies to tackle growing wealth inequality.
Ms Osborne added: “There is always room for improvement. Wealth inequality is one of the most pressing issues in our society.
“Currently work is taxed higher than wealth, that can not be right. Money raised from a wealth tax could be used to fund the vital public services which my constituents depend upon.
“John Healey's commitment to addressing the historic injustices suffered by former miners and their families was welcome, as were the assurances I received directly from ministers yesterday, that the Government remains committed to transferring the remaining £1.2 billion from the Guarantors’ Fund.
“However, time is running out for many former miners, and I am disappointed that this transfer has not been included in the Budget.”