Political figures across the Liverpool City Region have delivered their judgments on Labour's first Budget in over a decade. Rachel Reeves, serving as Chancellor, detailed her party's financial proposals for the forthcoming year in her 77-minute speech to the House of Commons, highlighting enhancements in health funding, revisions to taxation, and adjustments to national insurance as key points.
Regional politicians have offered their insights on the budgetary plans. Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram was particularly vocal about the region's opportunity to secure its own specific funding agreement, resembling pioneering arrangements established for Manchester and the Midlands.
He shared: "Today's Budget is a recognition of two things: that this government inherited an economy badly mismanaged over years, and that only by empowering regions like the Liverpool City Region can we deliver growth and chart a path to a fairer, more prosperous future.
"The Liverpool City Region has long championed the power of devolution to deliver real improvements, and we're pleased to see this government recognise that local leadership and national support, working hand-in-hand, can achieve transformative results for our communities and Britain as a whole. For too long, regions like ours bore the brunt of economic policies that left working families and ordinary communities struggling. But today's announcements – from investments in affordable housing to rescuing our NHS – send a strong signal: we're ready to rebuild Britain together.
"It's a vital first step in addressing long-standing imbalances and unleashing the untapped potential here in the North and across the country.", reports .
Mayor Rotheram added: "The Liverpool City Region is ready to keep pushing forward, building on today's Budget and delivering the real change our communities deserve.
"With this government's backing, we can achieve a brighter, fairer future – together."
The Metro Mayor praised the government's commitment to allow the city region to access its own integrated settlement following deals for areas like Manchester. He said it solidified Liverpool City Region as one of the "leading" locations nationally, adding: "More importantly, this single, locally controlled funding pot is an important step in graduating from decentralisation to true devolution."
The mayor said the announcement had reinforced the notion that devolution is effective, as seen in the Liverpool City Region. Local initiatives, such as the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's first publicly owned train fleet and establishing the area as Britain's Renewable Energy Coast, have been successful.
Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, expressed his satisfaction with the maintenance of a crucial funding pot, stating on social media: "The Household Support Fund is a vital lifeline to our most vulnerable residents."
He added: "It allows us to alleviate poverty and provide emergency assistance. Under the Tories we had to fight tooth and nail to retain it".
"Labour recognises its importance and has extended it."
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