Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Stamford, said:
"Labour's budget has raised tax to record levels and broken key election promises. Increased taxes, increased spending and increased borrowing will together hit family businesses, farmers, small companies and rural areas like ours the hardest.
"Whether you're a farmer facing the end of generations of family farming, a small business like a cafe, care home or nursery forced to cut jobs to pay for increased employers National Insurance, a pensioner unable to heat your home or a family losing your choice of where to educate your children, this budget provides no support or recognition of your challenges.
"For farmers in particular, the consequences are devastating. Cutting Agricultural Property Relief for thousands of farms, imposing 20% inheritance tax on farms over £1 million and charging full road tax on double cab pick-up truck means a distressing end for many family farmers. The NFU described the budget as 'disastrous', while the CLA called it 'a betrayal', yet the Farming Secretary doesn't seem to care for the real-world impact, telling farmers they will just have to 'learn to do more with less'.
"It is quite extraordinary to bring forward a budget the OBR (Office of Budget Responsibility) states will raise inflation, slow income growth, and has forced the OBR to downgrade GDP growth predictions. We estimate it will add £2,000 to each household's bill every year
"I am deeply disappointed to see the decisions and approach Labour is taking, but I will continue to do all I can to stand up for our working people, our farmers, small business and rural way of life during this difficult time."
