Guildford’s MP Gives Her Verdict on the Budget

Published on: 29 Nov, 2025
Updated on: 1 Dec, 2025

Zöe Franklin MP and Chancellor Rachel Reeves

Guildford’s Liberal Democrat MP Zöe Franklin has given her verdict on this week’s budget the Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ second. She has concluded it was a “missed opportunity” to tackle cost of living crisis and help business and hospitality but is “delighted” at the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap.

Ms Franklin said: “One of the first things I did after being elected as MP for the Guildford constituency was write to the Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions to express my anger at the level of child poverty and at the Conservatives’ cruel two-child benefit cap.

“For children to be living in poverty, through no fault of their own, is unforgivable and it has been one of the issues I have campaigned most passionately about.

“I am delighted to see the Chancellor today announce that the cap will end in April next year, though I do wonder why it took so long.

“The Labour Government was elected on a promise of tackling the cost-of-living crisis the Conservatives had plunged us into, and this is the second budget where the Chancellor has not done anywhere near enough.

“People struggling with higher bills and inflation will see their taxes increase yet again. In freezing the Conservatives’ tax-free allowances for a further three years, people will find themselves paying income tax for the first time, while others will be drawn into higher tax bands. All will be worse off as a result. This is a tax rise on working families, those who should be helped and supported.”

She continued: “From every conversation I have with small and medium sized businesses in Guildford and our villages, and to those working in the hospitality sector, I know how hard it is and how the cost-of-living crisis is having a huge impact on them and on our high streets.

“I welcome the announcement that apprenticeships for under 25-year-olds will be free for SMEs, helping them invest in young people and future talent. However, I know how much the added burden of the increase on Employers’ National Insurance and yet the Government has done nothing in the budget to address this.

“The Conservatives left the country in a mess. It was never going to be a quick fix. But I am so disappointed to see how much of the burden has been placed on people who can least afford it.”