I write in response to your publication of the leader of Hampshire County Council, Nick Adams-King’s, views on the 2024 Budget.

I was surprised to see only Nick’s perspective offered and therefore feel compelled to write in with some thoughts in the interests of a balanced discussion.

This Budget marks the end of fourteen years of austerity and is designed to make a tangible difference in the lives of many in Hampshire here and now.

Key measures in it include a significant rise in the minimum wage, benefiting 3 million workers across the UK; a major boost to the NHS with funding for thousands of additional appointments each year and a freeze on fuel duty. 

The Budget also deals with our future, improving opportunities for our children by funding free breakfast clubs and pledges £1.4 billion to rebuild 500 schools as well as an extra £1 billion for SEND provision, which we know Hampshire County Council and parents across the county have been crying out for.

When it comes to local funding, it’s worth noting that Hampshire County Council's leadership has largely overlooked underinvestment in northern areas, like the A33 or Chineham Station, in favour of southern projects such as Junction 8 of the M27.

For years, Hampshire’s Conservative leaders ignored the crisis in local authority funding under their own government. Now, as Labour addresses these long-standing issues, “more” is suddenly “not enough” for Mr Adams-King.

This Budget prioritises rebuilding our schools, supporting small businesses, and easing NHS backlogs. It’s time Hampshire’s leaders recognise the real progress being made to rebuild our public services and step up to do their part in tackling the issues that truly matter to our local communities. 

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Andrew McCormick,

Labour and Co-Op,

Brighton Hill

Basingstoke

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