The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond delivered a Budget that lays the foundations for a Britain fir for the future, ready to build a truly ‘Global Britain’ and ready for Brexit and building on Britain’s recent economic achievements.

The Government’s proposals today offer protection to our Aldridge-Brownhills’ precious Green Belt whilst offering new opportunities to first time buyers by scrapping stamp duty on all purchases up to £300,000 and investing in a ‘Brownfield First’ approach to build the 300,000 new homes a year we need in Britain.

Hard-working families will once again be rewarded with a further increase in the National Living Wage and an increase in their personal tax allowances rising to £11,850 next April. This, combined with another freeze in fuel duty saving families more money at the pumps is to be welcomed.

With more people than ever using our excellent National Health Service it will receive an additional £2.8 billion of funding to 2019-20, including £350 million for this winter and £1.6 billion next year. There will also be additional funding for agreed nurses pay rises so that patient services are protected.

The Chancellor also listened to a call from myself and other West Midlands MP’s to increase budgets for Research, Development and Skills and to give our West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street more powers to help our region including Aldridge-Brownhills be more competitive and equipped for the new economic and technological challenges which lie ahead.

Since the election in June we have remained focussed on ensuring that we create a Britain that works for everyone. Today’s Budget is another important step towards achieving that ambition for Britain and the residents of my Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.