Chancellor Rachel Reeves has promised that her upcoming Budget will deliver significant help for working families across the UK, with a sharp focus on easing the cost of living, reducing NHS waiting lists, and cutting national debt.
A Budget for Working Families
In a direct address to the public, the Chancellor confirmed that her second Budget, scheduled for Wednesday, will be built around the priorities of the country. Working families will be at the forefront of the government's plans as it seeks to tackle the most pressing issues facing households.
Ms Reeves emphasised that the Labour government is able to take these steps because of the economic stability it has restored and its disciplined approach to public spending, which avoids the mistakes of the past.
Core Priorities: The Three Cuts
The Chancellor outlined three main objectives for the Budget. The first is cutting NHS waiting lists, a key manifesto pledge. She stated the government is committed to rebuilding an NHS weakened by Tory austerity and ensuring patients receive timely treatment instead of languishing for months.
The second priority is cutting national debt. Ms Reeves argued that it is not progressive to spend £1 in every £10 on servicing debt interest, money that could be far better invested in schools, hospitals, police forces, and local communities.
The third and central focus is cutting the cost of living, which remains the number one pressure on households. The Chancellor acknowledged that while high prices hurt everyone, they hit ordinary families the hardest.
Existing Measures and Future Promises
The article highlights several actions the government has already taken to relieve financial pressure. These include extending the prescription charge freeze to keep the cost under ten pounds, freezing rail fares for the first time in three decades, and rolling out breakfast clubs in schools.
The breakfast club initiative is projected to ensure over half a million children do not start school hungry while saving working parents approximately £450 a year. A crackdown on ticket touts has also been implemented to make gigs more affordable for music fans.
Ms Reeves promised that the upcoming Budget will go even further in assisting with everyday costs. This will be supported by a continued crackdown on waste and fraud in areas such as asylum spending and the welfare system, ensuring every pound is spent where it is most needed.
Concluding her message, the Chancellor firmly stated that this will be a Budget for you and your family, designed to build a fairer, stronger, and more secure Britain for all.
