South Cumbria MPs have had a mixed reaction to the government’s budget.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed the government’s tax and spending plans in the Autumn Statement which pledged to cut national insurance from 12 to 10 per cent from January 6.

Other proposals announced include raising the state pension by 8.5 per cent from April 2024 as well as raising universal credit and disability benefits by 6.7 per cent.

Conservative MP for Barrow and Furness Simon Fell said: “I’m delighted that 27 million people will see a tax cut from January of £450 on average, that self-employed people will see £350 more thanks to changes in national insurance, and that businesses have the confidence to invest thanks to cuts in business rates.”

Mr Hunt also said welfare recipients who do not get a job within 18 months will have to do work experience and those who do not look for work for six-month period will have benefits stopped.

Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron criticised the planned tax cuts and said it comes ‘from a government that is begging for votes ahead of next year’s General Election’.

Mr Farron said: “Local people are waiting months for a hospital operation, cancer treatment or mental health care. They are struggling to get an appointment with their GP and are being advised to travel to Hexham or Blackburn to register with a dentist on the NHS.

“So, I am absolutely appalled that the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement today fails to bring forward any serious measures to fix the crisis in the health service. This is the number one issue our county and our country is facing this winter, and the Chancellor has simply ignored it.”

The government has also announced plans to increase the legal minimum wage known as the national living wage from £10.42 to £11.44 from April.

Mr Fell added: “Thanks to the stability that the Prime Minister and Chancellor have brought to the economy with their relentless focus on halving inflation, reducing debt and growing the economy, we have more economic headroom than many predicted.

“This has allowed the chancellor the space to unveil a significant package of tax cuts to stimulate the economy, increase productivity and help people through the cost of living crisis.”