Chris Webb
Main Page: Chris Webb (Labour - Blackpool South)Department Debates - View all Chris Webb's debates with the HM Treasury
(3 weeks, 4 days ago)
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Rachel Reeves
People in more rural areas, such as some of my hon. Friend’s constituents, will particularly benefit from the freeze in fuel duty and the free bus fares for kids. We think that the changes in fuel duty have already saved people around £100 a year, and we expect the same sort of benefit thereafter. Drivers of heavy goods vehicles will benefit by up to £912 through those changes. The bus fare changes are unlimited free bus travel for five to 15-year-olds, and we can add in the savings on days out and meals out. All these things are unlimited; people can go on a bus as many times as they like, and they can take their kids out for a meal and benefit from that reduction in VAT as much as they like. We want people to have an enjoyable summer, worrying less about the costs and thinking more about making happy memories.
Chris Webb (Blackpool South) (Lab)
The plans outlined today by the Chancellor will be a massive boost for families in my constituency, but also for the hospitality and tourism sector. I am sure she will agree that Blackpool has some of the best attractions in the world, including the best theme park in the United Kingdom, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which is today launching its record-breaking £8.7 million new ride, Aviktas. Since the Chancellor made her statement, my phone has not stopped ringing; businesses, theme parks and organisations from across the town are welcoming this news. On their behalf, as well as for my own part, may I invite the Chancellor to Blackpool this summer to see at first hand the positive difference that her policies will make in our town, and the potential that we have?
Rachel Reeves
I am really excited about what is happening in Blackpool in the lead up to the 100th anniversary of the Blackpool illuminations in three years’ time. I very much look forward to my next trip to Blackpool. I do not eat only fish and chips, but I remember a very happy meal of fish and chips in my hon. Friend’s constituency during his by-election campaign.