Stratford‑on‑Avon says Chancellor must deliver real change for her constituency

As the Chancellor prepares to deliver her Budget this afternoon, Stratford‑on‑Avon’s Liberal Democrat MP Manuela Perteghella has urged Rachel Reeves to “deliver real change” for local families, businesses and rural communities.

Perteghella is calling for three key measures. They are an emergency VAT cut to 15% for hospitality, accommodation and attractions until April 2027, a new customs union trade deal with the EU, which she says could raise more than £25 billion a year in extra tax revenue and the scrapping of the Family Farm Tax, which she warns threatens food security and the future of family farms.

The Liberal Democrats argue this Budget must be a turning point — tackling the cost of living, saving high streets, and properly funding the NHS, schools and local councils.

"It feels to many that standards of living have stalled or even got worse for many years now, Brexit, the covid pandemic, rising energy prices, war in Europe and stagnant growth in the UK economy have all contributed to this feeling of hopelessness".

Perteghella highlighted Stratford‑on‑Avon’s reliance on hospitality and tourism, stressing that local restaurants, pubs, cafes, hotels, theatres and museums need support to employ local people and reinvest in the community.

"This is a sector that's been hard hit life's little luxuries, small joys in Britain include going out for Sunday lunch, having an afternoon tea, or simply having a pint in the local pub. All of these things have become harder and harder for people to prioritise".

On trade, she said Brexit has caused lasting damage to the economy and that a new customs union deal would help repair it and Perteghella also warned that keeping the Family Farm Tax would be “a devastating blow” to rural communities.

Perteghella said families across Stratford‑on‑Avon face soaring bills, overstretched public services and squeezed businesses. She accused the Chancellor of “making the wrong choices” and called for big banks, tech giants and online gambling companies to pay their fair share instead of punishing local businesses and hardworking families.

{{News}}