A Budget that delivers for the whole of High Peak

Last week, the Chancellor set out a clear economic plan that will help make families in High Peak more secure and give people the chance to plan ahead and keep more of their money in their pockets.

The cost of living is still the biggest issue residents raise with me – on the doorstep, in my surgeries, at coffee mornings and even when I’m out walking the dogs. People are doing everything right and still finding it tough, which is why I’m pleased we’re taking practical steps to bring these costs down.

Energy bills are coming down by £150, and with the Warm Homes Discount being expanded, eligible households will receive a further £150 off automatically. Commuters from Glossop to Manchester will save £88 on their season tickets. NHS prescription charges are frozen for the year, and fuel duty is frozen too. A new Fuel Finder tool will also help households save around £89 by finding the cheapest fuel locally.

Too many low-income working families, doing everything asked of them, are still struggling to make ends meet. Our decision to lift the two-child benefit cap is about backing those families. 70% of the support goes to low-income working households. It will lift 450,000 children out of poverty nationally, including 1,360 in High Peak.

We’re also offering more help to kids in schools. Free breakfast clubs are already running in Bamford, Peak Forest and New Mills Primary, and 300 local children now qualify for free school meals. These small changes make mornings easier, help parents get to work, and make sure children start the day well.

Another part of this Budget that matters locally is the decision to scrap car tax on Search and Rescue vehicles. Mountain rescue volunteers dedicate countless hours and work in some of the most dangerous conditions. Since I was elected in 2024, I’ve continuously pushed for this, and I’m pleased ministers have listened. It means more of the money raised in Glossop, Buxton, Edale, Woodhead and Kinder can go straight into lifesaving work.

All of this depends on making good financial decisions and asking those with the broadest shoulders to pay a fairer share. That’s why we’re introducing a High Value Council Tax Surcharge on homes worth over £2 million, with fewer than 1% of High Peak homes affected. And from April next year, there will be a 40% tax on online betting giants. Having spoken to charities across High Peak about the damage these companies can cause, it’s only fair that the biggest players contribute properly.

Because we’re making these choices, we can: save commuters £88; cut every household’s energy bill by £150; help drivers save £89 at the pump; increase the state pension by more than £550 a year; and we can give children the chance to think about their future rather than where their next meal is coming from. All while protecting our NHS and driving waiting lists down. This is a Budget that delivers for the whole of High Peak.