This Budget shows that the government is firmly on the side of working people – fuel duty frozen to keep prices down at the pump, permanently lower tax rates for small businesses in retail and hospitality, and long-term investment into our public services.

Income tax, National Insurance, and VAT will all remain the same. Working people will not be dragged into higher tax bands by stealth, they will not pay higher taxes on hard-earned wages, and they will no longer have to bear the burden of an unserious government that simply kicks the can down the road.

Instead, the lowest paid will receive a boost with the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage both rising. Public services will get more funding, meaning lower hospital waiting times, better schools, and more reliable transport.

Today we saw a government that understands the need to invest in the future. To invest in communities, skills, healthcare, education, infrastructure, transport, housing and more so that we can fix the foundations of our economy and deliver real improvements in living standards.

We will not choose the path of irresponsibility – Labour will restore stability, protect working people, fix the NHS, and rebuild Britain.