COLUMN by South Cotswolds MP Dr Roz Savage

As your MP, I am acutely aware of the challenges many people, small businesses and our communities face right now.

This week's budget is a critical opportunity to address these issues and lay the groundwork for future prosperity.

You have the advantage over me of knowing what the Chancellor has done as you read this. I'm writing this column before the Budget is published.

But I think it is right that you know what I want to see in it to help you, our local charities, small businesses and communities.

Over the past decade, the Conservatives have weakened our economy weakened and stretched key public services stretched to their limits.

The NHS and social care services, in particular, are in crisis.

This has resulted in long waiting lists, staff shortages, and a health and care system struggling to meet the needs of our population.

Beyond healthcare, other vital public services have also suffered.

Education, public transport, and digital connectivity in rural areas have all been neglected, leaving our communities at a disadvantage.

The change we need must start in this Budget.

When we set up a business, buy a home or car, we borrow money to build a better future.

I firmly believe that the same principle applies for our country.

We do need to borrow to invest in the key areas that are essential for our economic recovery.

We know the Government needs more money to pay for what needs to be done.

We must raise revenue fairly by ensuring that big corporations, such as banks, oil and gas companies, and social media giants, contribute their fair share to meet immediate fiscal needs but also promotes long-term economic stability.

The Government should also recognise the unfairness of their cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance and reverse that policy.

To me that would be a good use of the rumoured huge windfall payment that the Government is rumoured to be getting from Octopus Energy.

The much-trailed increase in Employers National Insurance also needs to be fair. Small businesses that are the engines of growth and are so vital to our local communities must be exempted from these increases.

So should our hospitality businesses that employ so many, and the charities that do so much good.

We need to stop strangling the economy with cuts and instead give it more oxygen through strategic investment in education, upskilling, and improving apprenticeship provision, so creating a workforce fit for the future.

We urgently need more funding for school repairs and for SEND provision.

Expanding rural internet connectivity should be a priority to bridge the digital divide and allow more local businesses and people to participate in the digital economy.

Investing in public transport is another critical area where investment can yield significant benefits.

It has been rumoured that the £2 bus fare is going to be abolished.

This would be a bad idea. By providing affordable, reliable transport options, we enable more people to access education and employment opportunities, boosting prosperity.

I hope you and I will have seen much of this in the Budget.

But if it is not there, then I will be using the Budget debate to urge this government to adopt this forward-thinking approach to build a stronger economy that works for everyone, especially our communities in the South Cotswolds.