'Budget will help to make life more affordable today', while Govt's city focus boosts growth plans

MAYOR WELCOMES GOVT COMMITMENT TO REGION AND BUDGE ‘BREATHING SPACE’

- By TELEGRAPH REPORTER

THE mayor of the East Midlands has backed the Budget as “rewarding local people with a more affordable today”.

During her Budget speech to the House of Commons, Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged to scrap the two-child benefit cap from April 2026, implement a “Mansion Tax” on properties worth more than £2m and to make training for apprentices aged under 25 free for small and medium-sized apprentices.

The Chancellor also moved to cut £150 off energy bills, freeze rail fares and increase the National Minimum Wage for 16-20-year-olds and the National Living Wage.

Welcoming the plans, East Midlands mayor Claire Ward said: “Here in the East Midlands, we are building a more affordable tomorrow: and we welcome a Budget which rewards local people with a more affordable today. Lowering energy bills, freezing train fares, and increasing the minimum wage: all three give us the breathing space we need to get on.”

During her speech, Ms Reeves highlighted the Government's commitment to the East Midlands, with Derby primed to get a percentage of the £9 billion AUKUS defence and security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.