Suffolk MPs were divided as the UK Chancellor delivered her controversial Spring Statement to the House of Commons.
The biggest changes announced by Rachel Reeves on Wednesday included plans to introduce a higher bar for personal independence payments (PIP) to save £5bn in the country's economy a year.
It is projected that the introduced changes will make GDP growth slightly stronger over the next four years, despite falling in 2025, and housing building is set to rise to nearly 300,000 a year by 2029.
In response to the announcements, MPs across Suffolk are divided, with some seeing this as a positive sign of hope for the country, while others have raised issues with the impact the statement will have on residents.
Waveney Valley MP, Adrian Ramsay called for the Chancellor to introduce a 2% tax for the extremely wealthy.
The Green Party co-leader said in the House of Commons: "The Chancellor knows that our economy has been driven to the edge over the last 15 years, with ordinary people forced to bear the burden, while a small minority have amassed extreme wealth.
"This is something she could change, and her own backbenchers are lining up to argue the wealth tax.
"So why won't she do the fair and right thing and introduce a tax on the very wealthiest, rather than launching austerity 2.0, removing vital support from disabled people?"
James Cartlidge MP for South Suffolk said that the statement could have been a way to invest in sectors ranging from agri-tech and energy to the visitor economy.
He said: "What we needed from Rachel Reeves was a real shot in the arm for Britain’s economic mojo – to give consumers and businesses the confidence to spend and invest.
"Instead, we had a massive missed opportunity.
"Within days, businesses in South Suffolk will have to fund huge tax hikes on jobs, and meanwhile Labour are preparing an unprecedented increase in employment red tape."
However, Dr Peter Prinsley, MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, defended the statement.
He said: "The Spring Statement reflects the steady, responsible leadership our country needs, and I have full confidence in the Chancellor’s approach.
"By sticking to our fiscal rules and focusing on stability, Labour is laying the foundations for long-term growth while protecting working people.
"The Chancellor’s clear-eyed commitment to investment, reform, and fairness is exactly what’s needed to deliver the decade of national renewal we promised."
North Ipswich and Central Suffolk MP Patrick Spencer spoke against Mrs Reeves' update, saying: "Today we received more bad news about the British economy.
"Growth is down. Debt is up. And there was no good news for businesses, the growth engine of our economy, who have had to put up with tax increases.
"It's a damning indictment on this Government's so-called plan for growth."
West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy meanwhile said: "The UK needs a completely different approach, one which champions business, growth and innovation.
"In my question to her, I pointed out that the problem lies with her decision to increase spending eight times faster than she promised in Labour's manifesto.
"When I asked her to rule out more tax and borrowing in the Budget later this year, she refused to do so.
"Labour are clearly coming back with more and more tax rises, which will be disastrous for households and businesses in Suffolk."
Meanwhile, Ipswich MP Jack Abbott said that this will provide security for working people.
He added: "Our Labour government has already begun the work of change, restoring stability to our public finances, rebuilding our public services, including slashing NHS waiting lists for five months in a row, increasing the National Living Wage from next week, increasing defence spending, helping more young people into work, cracking down on tax evasion, and so much more besides.
“As a reflection of this change, the OBR has today upgraded Britain’s growth forecast next year and every year after.
"By the end of the Parliament, households across Ipswich will be better off than they were at the start."
Suffolk Coastal MP, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter spoke positively of the plans stating that "growth doesn't happen overnight" and this statement takes those goals forward.
She said: "As part of this, the OBR has today confirmed that planning reforms will unlock 170,000 new homes, contributing £6.8 billion to economic growth and providing over £3 billion for public services, demonstrating a strong focus on long-term prosperity and stability.
"I am pleased to see these measures, which will help lay the groundwork for a more secure and prosperous future."
Published by the Ipswich Star
