Residents of Worcester have expressed a range of opinions regarding recent changes in the government’s Budget, particularly concerning tax increases and benefits for families. Chancellor Rachel Reeves proposed a plan to eliminate the two-child benefit cap and suggested that various tax rates could rise. Reeves encouraged “ordinary people” to take part in the economy.
At a community kitchen in Worcester, where individuals with lower incomes gather for free meals, attendees discussed their views on the Budget. One participant, Roni Skye, a grandmother, found some aspects acceptable but criticized the potential lifting of the child benefit cap, expressing concern that such a move might lead to misuse of funds. She suggested that it could encourage some to have more children solely for financial gain and questioned if it might disincentivize work among younger generations.
Another resident, Graham Key, supported the proposed 4.8 percent increase in pensions, highlighting it as a benefit for pensioners. While he acknowledged the Budget’s advantages for families with more than two children, Key reflected on the implications for taxpayers, questioning whether the Budget could be considered ‘fair,’ given its potential financial burdens on working individuals.
Some residents voiced frustrations about plans to impose a tax on electric vehicles and projected increases in fuel duties by 2027. Hannah Kryszewski, an actor, expressed discontent regarding the impact of the Budget on motorists, stating that while she found it generally acceptable, the costs would rise for vehicle users. Keiron Doyle noted the decision to maintain rail fare prices and the tax hikes on tobacco and alcohol as positives, but he remained cautious about the overall tax burden on the working population.
The Budget’s reception in Worcester underscores the complexities of balancing economic support against tax pressures on various groups within the community.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwypd8e9vjqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss