I know just how tough the last few years have been. Rising energy costs caused by Putin’s war in Ukraine combined with difficult economic legacies of the Covid pandemic have put immense pressure on local families.

The Government spent more than £400bn protecting lives and livelihoods after Covid.

Thanks to our efforts, inflation has more than halved; our economy is expected to be the third fastest growing in the G7 over the coming four years; and our national debt is on track to fall in line with our fiscal rules.

But we’re not complacent. We know that families in Hitchin need more support.

That’s why the Budget delivers for local people – with better public services, support for local businesses, and more money back in your pocket.

Our investments in NHS and public sector productivity – embracing new technologies to cut down paperwork time and unlock more time for our public servants to serve the public – will help us to cut waiting lists in the NHS, save up to 55,000 hours in the justice system, speed up the planning process and much more.

Cutting waiting lists and freeing up more time while saving taxpayers money.

Businesses in Hitchin will benefit from our huge package of business support.

Building on our decision in the Autumn to make full expensing permanent – unlocking billions of pounds in extra business investment – we’ve unveiled plans to help small businesses access funding through the new Growth Guarantee Scheme; increased the VAT registration threshold; and unlocked even more investment through the new British ISA.

Hitchin’s businesses are the lifeblood of our economy – we’re taking the steps they need to succeed.

But of course, the single most important thing that we can do is to put more money back into your pocket.

That’s why we’ve cut National Insurance again – a £1,250 per year boost for the average earner in our constituency.

It is why we’ve protected the Triple Lock, ensuring that pensioners will get an extra £902 this year. And it is why we’re backing working families, with changes to the High Income Child Benefit Charge which will save half a million families an average of £1,260 next year.

The job isn’t finished yet, but our plan is working – delivering better public services, growing the economy, and putting your money back into your pocket. I’ll keep working hard for you.