I'll keep fighting for Musgrove' - MP after Budget

The MP for Taunton and Wellington, Gideon Amos, pledged to step up his campaign for improvements at Musgrove Park Hospital following yesterday’s Budget.

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced £22.6 billion for day-to-day spending on the NHS in England, with a £3.1billion boost to the budget for investment, plus an extra £1 billion for repairs.

“What we wanted to see was a budget for the NHS and care, what we’ve got is disappointing - the government could have gone so much further in investing in health and care.

The extra £600 million for social care and the £1 billion pounds for children with special educational needs and disability are welcome but simply won’t be enough to fix the crisis in care and local government.

“And the Chancellor didn’t even mention dentistry.

“While the £4.1 billion announced for NHS capital investment is welcome, I’m pushing the government to make sure Musgrove Park Hospital’s new maternity and paediatric unit will be one of the projects funded.

“I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to press the case further and I won’t rest until we get some positive news.”

He added: “As Liberal Democrats, we are of course pleased the clawing back of money from those on carers’ allowance will be addressed and, following the calls we have made, carers will now get some support with the raising of earnings limits to 16 hours per week.

“But we wanted much more support for carers by increasing the allowance itself.

Moving away from health and social care, Mr Amos said: “I’m also very concerned that increasing the rate of National Insurance and reducing the threshold to £5,000 will particularly hit local companies with a lot of workers like care providers and those in hospitality, who will also be hit by the reduction in business rates support for the sector”.

“And, in cancelling the dualling of the A358 between Taunton and Southfields, we must make sure the government still funds the bypass desperately needed for Henlade and Thornfalcon.

“Meanwhile, the lack of news on the much-needed Wellington Railway Station is not acceptable.

“I will be pursuing all these issues with the government.

He added: “This Budget could have gone so much further if the big banks and energy companies were asked to pay more instead of placing extra costs on the small businesses which are the lifeblood of our economy here in Taunton and Wellington and across the country.”