Winchester News Online
UK prepares for autumn budget
Tomorrow Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver Labour’s first budget in 14 years. It will also be the first budget to be delivered by a female chancellor.
When Labour won the general election back in July, Reeves said the party had “inherited the worst set of circumstances since the Second World War” so there has been an emphasis from the government on making “difficult financial decisions”.
Sources have said the Chancellor is drawing up plans to find £40bn pounds to avoid having to cuts to government departments.
She has suggested the gap will be filled with tax rises rather than spending cuts, saying there will be “no return to austerity”.
Labour have said they will not be raising income tax, VAT or national insurance. They also promised not to increase taxes on “working people”, although there has been some confusion as to what that actually means.
The Conservatives have accused Labour of “reinventing” what counts as a working person, and the prime minister did concede that his own definition was “broad”.
Some changes have already been announced:
- – The state pension will rise by 4% in April next year.
- – Winter fuel payments will only be made available to people getting pension credit or other means-tested help.
- – The energy profits levy on oil and gas companies will rise from 35% to 38% at the start of next month, and will remain in place for around five years.
- – The single fare cap on many bus routes across England will rise from £2 to £3.
It is thought there will be changes to inheritance tax, pensions tax, capital gains tax and more; the full details will be revealed in Rachel Reeves’ speech on Wednesday, most likely about 12:30PM.
A man threw a chair and threatened bystanders in the centre of Gosport on Friday.
Police say the man, who was behaving aggressively, threw the chair on the ground and shouted threats at nearby shoppers before running away. No one was injured.
It happened just before noon, outside a Greggs Bakery on the High Street.
Hampshire Police say the man was white, bald and in his late 40s. He was wearing a baseball cap and a grey hoodie.
Officers are asking anyone who saw the incident to contact them.
Twelve people were arrested after 350 anti-migrant protestors clashed with police overnight in Gosport following reports of a small boat landing in the area.
A small number of officers needed medical treatment following the protests near Walpole car park.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said: “Violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest, our position on this has been clear that we will investigate thoroughly and take robust action against anyone responsible.
“Our officers did not deserve to be assaulted as they worked incredibly diligently on Sunday to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.”
Police had banned face coverings and had issued a dispersal order ahead of the protests across Gosport.
Those arrested were held on suspicion of assaulting officers or being drunk and disorderly.
The protest marks an increase in tensions within the UK after protests at Portsmouth, Taunton, Basingstoke and Glasgow in recent months.
Gosport Reform UK councilor Paul Carter told GB News: “If you think about this last night, no one really knew what was happening… I think a lot of people are really worried.”
People in Romsey are being warned that the town’s recycling centre will be closing for a month for repairs.
The closure of Casbrook recycling centre will take place from 12 October to 12 November.
The council says that repairs are essential to keep the site safe, after heavy vehicles damaged the tarmac beneath waste containers.
Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council’s deputy leader, said: “We are investing in essential improvements to preserve the surface of Casbrook HWRC (Bunny Lane) and ensure the facility continues to serve residents safely and effectively for many years to come.
“I thank residents for their patience during these works and confirm that capacity is available at nearby HWRCs to ensure residents that usually use Bunny Lane, can still dispose of their waste during this time.”
Locals have been advised to use alternative centres in Winchester and Eastleigh while the repairs take place.
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