One of my top priorities has been ensuring residents keep more of their hard-earned money by cutting the cost of living. That means lower taxes for lower earners and higher wages.
10 year fuel duty freeze
The price of fuel is one of the biggest expenses to residents and local businesses. That’s why, I first campaigned to scrap Labour's fuel duty escalator and have since successfully campaigned every year to freeze duty - saving you £10 every time you fill up your car.
Lower taxes for lower earners
I have voted to double the tax free personal allowance so that you keep more of the money you earn. I’ve also voted to cut income tax meaning the average resident has £1,205 more in your pocket.
I also campaigned for cuts to National Insurance contributions and have voted to increase the National Insurance threshold to £9,500 - which will rise to £12,500.
National Living Wage
In Parliament, I have been one of the strongest voices for the introduction of the National Living Wage (NLW) - which was introduced in 2016. It has progressively increased and the Chancellor has announced it will increase again over the next year meaning those residents on the NLW will have received an increase of over £4,000 since it was introduced.
Cutting energy bills
For many years, I have campaigned to cut energy bills, resulting in the creation of the energy price cap to end rip-off pricing.
As we have left the EU, I am campaigning to reduce the VAT on energy bills - something we could not have done inside the EU - as we have done by abolishing the Tampon Tax.
Conservative Tax Guarantee
In 2019, I was elected on a pledge not to raise the rates of income tax, National Insurance or VAT. This is a tax guarantee that will protect the incomes of hard-working families across the next Parliament.
Protecting our pensioners
I supported the ‘triple lock’ which has meant that those who have worked hard and put in for decades can be confident that the state will be there to support them when they need it. It has meant that the state pension has increased by either 2.5% or inflation or average wages - whichever is highest - every year.
I have also pledged to keep the triple lock, the winter fuel payment, the older person’s bus pass and other pensioner benefits, ensuring that older people have the security and dignity they deserve.
I have campaigned for the BBC to keep its promise to fund the value of free TV licences for over-75s and will continue to do so.
