RESIDENTS of Basingstoke have reacted to the Government's new Spring Budget, with some concerns raised that not enough has been done.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has unveiled the contents of his first Budget in the House of Commons on Wednesday, March 6.
It had a focus on prompting those who have left their jobs to return to the workforce, and boosting business investment.
The current 5p cut in fuel duty will be extended for another year in a move that will cost the Treasury around £5 billion with the average motorist saving £50 a year.
He also confirmed that there will be a new tax when buying vapes making them more expensive to buy, as well as an increase in tax on Tabaco. The idea is to maintain the incentive of vaping over smoking and encourage underage children to stop buying vapes.
On top of this national insurance will also be cut by 2p saving a worker an average £450 a year.
The Gazette spoke to Basingstoke residents in the Top of Town to see what they made of the news.
READ MORE: Budget: Fuel duty frozen for 12 months saving drivers £50
Vaper Darren Alexandra, 44, from Tadley, doesn't think the incentive will work. He said: "I think with the cost of living crisis it is just something that we have to deal with. It does bother me but at the end of the day there is nothing I can do about it.
"If the kids want to vape they are going to buy them one way or another. It is alright to put taxes on but if a kid wants to vape, they got bank cards, they got Amazon and they can just go and buy it online."
He said he was pleased to hear about the fuel duty freeze.
He added: "A lot of us like myself have to travel for work so the more that fuel is going up the harder I am finding it. I think it is so insignificant though that you might barely notice the difference."
He said he was also pleased to hear the news about alcohol duty but fears it is too late for some pubs.
He said: "They are not helping the trade enough though, there are still businesses shutting down every day. With my job I do a lot of driving and the amount of villages I drive through I see pub after pub shut. I think it's too little too late and it's not a big enough change."
SEE ALSO: Budget 2024: Vape tax to be introduced and tobacco duty rise
Meanwhile, 73-year-old Pat Sloan who has lived in Basingstoke for at least 40 years welcomed the budget.
She said: "I don't drive now but my daughter drives me everywhere. I think young families must have to think 'oh can we afford to go out for the day?' because of the fuel cost so anything that helps that I think is a bonus."
She said she thinks anything that gives people more money in their pockets is a good thing.
"Pubs are the ones that have suffered since lockdown so it’s great news for them," she added.
She agreed with the idea of making vapes more expensive. She continued: "I don't think young people should be able buy them so easily, so if they make it expensive it might encourage them to stop. They can't make it too easy for young kids because it is addictive."
Michael and Catherine Massey who live in Hayling Island but lived in Hook for 30 years said they listened to the whole budget.
Michael, 72, welcomes the news about alcohol, he said: "Having been in the trade many years ago it is nice news. There are a number of pubs that are closing so it should help but that remains to be seen."
He said the news about national insurance is good but had some concerns, adding: "People seem to have an opinion that it should instead be a drop in income tax, which probably wouldn't be better in reality."
READ MORE: Basingstoke companies named for failing to pay workers minimum wage
His wife, Catherine, 76, added "I am struggling with a drop in anything because the country can't pay the bills already. Low-income people don't actually pay national insurance at all so it won't make any different to them."
Basingstoke resident Caroline, who did not wish to give her surname, also shared her thoughts on the budget.
The 64-year-old said: "I can see the problems with people drinking more if things are cheaper but I think pubs are great institutions and too many of them are shutting down. They are good community places so it's good news for them."
Luke Murphy, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Basingstoke has also shared his views.
He added: "Nothing the Chancellor announced today will reverse the 14 years of Conservative economic failure that has held Basingstoke back.
“Locally, patients have to wait weeks to get a GP appointment; homeowners are still paying the Tory mortgage premium; and working people are worse off. The top of town increasingly feels forgotten and neglected.
“Labour will get the NHS back on its feet, breathe new life into our town centre, and grow the economy so that we can get Basingstoke’s future back.”
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