Portsmouth council leader slams budget as having 'nothing' for the city

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, who has been at the helm of Portsmouth City Council since 2018, has been fiercely critical of the government’s budget, announced by chancellor of the exchequer, Rishi Sunak, earlier this afternoon.

He says there is ‘nothing’ for people in Portsmouth, claiming that the city has been ignored by those in Westminster.

Budget announcements included £5bn for the NHS to tackle coronavirus, a business rates discount for pubs and the abolition of the tampon tax.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson said: ‘In terms of transport, education, social care and defence, there’s nothing for people in Portsmouth to look forward to.

‘The government has chosen to ignore our needs, assuming we’re in the rich part of the south coast, when in reality we've got countless people scraping a living on limited income.

‘I think it’s a terribly disappointing budget from the government.’

The council leader has welcomed the boost to pubs with the freezing of alcohol duty, as well as the removal of business rates for firms with a rateable value less than £51,000.

But he says the negatives outweigh the positives.

‘The coronavirus may have changed some things but a lot of this would have been decided months ago,' he said.

‘I see no investment in the Royal Navy; nothing about retaining teachers, and all the transport money is going to the north.

‘Instead it will once again be left to us at the city council to fill the void.’

Conservative MPs have defended the budget, saying it is ‘exciting’ for residents and businesses alike.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage said: ‘The budget today not only delivers on our manifesto promises but goes above and beyond in investing in our economy, people and building Britain’s future prosperity.

‘This is an incredibly exciting start to the new decade, with real and significant investment being made to our schools, NHS, climate and communities.’

Havant MP Alan Mak added: ‘Today's budget benefits families, communities and businesses across Havant and the country by cutting taxes on income, increasing the living wage, and freezing tax on fuel to keep the cost of living down.’