The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, today set out the Government's Budget to "protect the jobs and livelihoods of the British people".
Commenting on the Budget, Harlow’s MP, Robert Halfon said: “I have worked hard in Parliament to do everything possible to get more support for our town. That’s why, I strongly welcome today’s announcements that will support our community through this time - building on the £200 million package I have already secured for Harlow to date.
“This budget will help people through the pandemic by extending furlough and the self-employed grants, giving new grant funding to local businesses, and maintaining the Universal Credit increase until September.
"It also cuts the cost of living by maintaining the fuel and alcohol duty freezes, increasing the National Living Wage and cutting taxes for lower earners.
"The Budget today champions apprenticeships, jobs and skills by granting Harlow businesses £3,000 for every apprentice they employ and builds back better for our homes and infrastructure with a new Mortgage Guarantee and billions more for infrastructure improvements.
"In total the Government will have spent over £400 billion protecting businesses, jobs and livelihoods. I will continue to do all I can to ensure that Harlow gets the funds from the Government that it needs."
The Budget included measures to:
Support residents and businesses through the pandemic
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Furlough scheme extended to September to project jobs
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Self-employed grant support extended to September and expanded to include newly self-employed workers
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Universal Credit uplift extended to September
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New Restart Grants of up to £18,000 for Harlow's businesses
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Business rates holiday extended to help Harlow’s small businesses
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Reduced 5% VAT rate for hospitality and tourism businesses
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£300 million boost to the Culture Fund to support venues such as The Playhouse
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An extra £1.6 billion to speed up the vaccine roll out
Cut the cost of living
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Fuel duty frozen - saving the average driver £10 every time they fill up
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Alcohol duties frozen - to help local pubs bounce back
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Increase to the Income Tax Personal Allowance meaning lower taxes for lower earners
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An increase to the National Living Wage meaning higher wages for lower earners
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A new Mortgage Guarantee for buyers who can only afford a 5% deposit - with a Government guarantee on the other 95%
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An extension to the Stamp Duty cut to make it easier for residents to buy their own home
Champion apprenticeships and skills
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Double the incentive to employ an apprentice to £3,000
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An extra £126 million to create new traineeships
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Lifetime Skills Guarantee to give every adult the opportunity to upskill