People and businesses across Portsmouth will benefit from a package of measures to provide ‘everyday fixes’ to the high cost of living.
Amanda Martin MP has welcomed these measures, which she says will provide “a bit of room to breathe” for people living in Portsmouth, as well as to the constituency’s businesses.
Labour’s cost of living package includes scrapping VAT on household electricity bills to keep down energy costs, reducing the cap on bus fares to £2 for all of 2027, and a new scheme to protect people’s hard-earned money from tradespeople if they do not fulfil their promises during home improvement projects.
All of these measures have been announced since Andy Burnham came into office just over two months ago – demonstrating the new Prime Ministers commitment to leading a cost-of-living government.
The Government is also lightening the load for families with children, by limiting the number ofexpensive branded items that schools can require. Disabled people are seeing their travel costs reduced with 24/7 access to free bus travel in every part of England.
And Labour is speeding up new measures to end ‘subscription traps’ for consumers, with clearer up-front information from subscription providers, regular reminders when a free trial is ending or an expensive renewal is coming up, and a 14-day cooling off cancellation period.
Labour has set in motion plans to reduce costs for local businesses too. Pubs, social clubs and music venues in Portsmouth will benefit from a 20% cut to their business rates from next April, providing treasured community assets with a helping hand.
And red tape is being cut by reforming corporate reporting and procurement rules – saving companies time and money so that they can invest more in providing jobs, renewing communities, and growing their businesses.
Amanda Martin MP, Labour MP for Portsmouth North, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see fast action from Andy Burnham’s Labour Government to reduce pressures on people and businesses here in Portsmouth.
“Life is too hard and too unaffordable for many, which is why this package of measures providing a bit of room to breathe is so welcome.”
“This is a government determined to bring money and power back to places like Portsmouth.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey said: “The next chapter of Britain’s growth story will be written in more places.
“This Labour Government is taking immediate action by cutting VAT on energy bills and reducing rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues.
“We are acting to give families room to breathe and bring back hope to Britain’s communities, no matter who you are or where you live.”
