RESIDENTS of Basingstoke have reacted to the Government's new Autumn Statement.
The latest budget was announced on Wednesday, November 22, with big economic changes that will affect many.
The main takeaways from the Autumn Statement include cuts to National Insurance rates, meaning employees earning less than £12,570 will pay no National Insurance, and neither will anyone over state pension age - even if they are still working.
The minimum wage will rise to £11.44 an hour, along with a 6.7 per cent rise in benefits.
Other changes include a 10 per cent increase in duty of hand-rolling tobacco and a change which means that anyone who fails to find work for more than 18 months will have to undertake work experience placements.
Residents of the town spoke to the Gazette to give their say on the changes.
Basingstoke residents react to Government's Autumn Statement
One resident, Lin Osborn, said: "I'm happy about the pensions, it's good that they are increasing.
"The economy is recovering and growth is good."
Another resident, Jim Ormrod, saw the benefits of the statement but believes more could still be done.
"I think the minimum wage should be 12 to 13 pounds at the absolute minimum, ideally £15.
"A lot of it depends on what age you are, younger people will be affected in different ways to older generations."
Richard Blood commented on the rise in tobacco duty: "They always increase it, it's nothing new at this point.
"It's probably about time I give up smoking, but I've been saying that for years."
Chris Sumner believes that government funding could be put to better use.
He said: "They need to spend more on health and adult social care. Healthcare is chronically underfunded and social carers are chronically underpaid."
Another resident, who didn't want to be named, said: "I think this is quite good, it's the right direction for the country.
"It's different to what they normally come out with, so it's nice to hear some positive news, it makes for a nice Christmas present."
Basingstoke's MP Maria Miller has also reacted to the news.
She said: "Inflation has been driving up costs and putting family budgets under huge strain, so halving of inflation in the past year makes a real difference to everyone. And on top of that today the chancellor has announced a further series of measures in the Autumn Statement which will help people to keep more of their hard-earned wages, support people on pensions and protect vulnerable people on welfare benefits.
"Families have already seen some prices coming down in the shops as a result of inflation being cut in half and these extra measures will help families get back on their feet and give people on pensions more peace of mind."
She said the measures will have a "widespread impact for residents across Basingstoke, regardless of age and economic status".
She added: "Measures will continue to grow the economy and keep debt down. It is brilliant that the Government are tackling the issues that matter most to the people of Basingstoke.’’
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