AFTER 14 years of Conservative misrule – wholeheartedly backed by Keighley and Ilkley’s Conservative MP during his tenure – Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Budget set out a strong vision to begin reversing the effects of stagnant growth, economic decline and austerity.

In particular, we in Keighley and Ilkley Labour welcome the Chancellor’s increased investment in public services and infrastructure, including:

* £2.3 billion to education

* £1.3 billion to local government

* £5 billion for house building

* £22.6 billion to the NHS

* £100 billion over five years in capital investment

All the while, with no increases in income tax, National Insurance or VAT for working people as was pledged in our manifesto.

Announcements such as an increased budget for capital spending projects (one-off investments) are long overdue, with the Conservative delay of Airedale Hospital and cancellation of schemes such as the Building Schools for the Future Programme in 2010 – preventing the rebuild of Holy Family Catholic School that was found to have RAAC in 2023 – harmful to both our local prospects and national infrastructure.

The national minimum wage rising by 6.7 per cent, the state pension rising by 4.1 per cent and a sizeable increase in carers allowance are also things that will make a real difference to people in Keighley and Ilkley.

It is heartening to see a Labour government starting to rebuild Britain after 14 years of disastrous Tory rule.

Martyn Oliver, chair, Keighley and Ilkley Constituency Labour Party