TWO rival candidates in the forthcoming general election have delivered differing opinions of the budget delivered by Chancellor Jeremey Hun on Wednesday, 6 March.

Labour's candidate for the Thurrock ward, Jen Craft, described Mr Hunt's announcements as 'chaotic', adding that people in the borough deserved better.

However, incumbent MP Dame Jackie Doyle-Price said it was focussed and part of a plan to benefit 'hardworking families' and allow people to keep 'more of the money they earn'.

Analysing the budget, Mrs Craft said households in Thurrock will be £870 worse off under the Conservatives' tax plan.

She said: "This budget confirms the UK has the highest tax burden in 70 years, as households in Thurrock are £870 worse off on average under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's tax plan.

"Figures show that for every 10p working people will pay in tax under the Tories' plan, they will only get getting 5p back, meaning that people in Thurrock are still worse off under this government.

"The Office for Budget Responsibility has confirmed that this will be the only Parliament on record where living standards have fallen, with real pay increasing by just £17 a week over 14 years of Conservative government. Under Labour, wages rose by £183 a week over 13 years.

"This budget also reveals that with Rishi's recession, GDP per capita is smaller than when Sunak became prime minister.

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"People in Thurrock deserve better than this chaotic Conservative budget. Once again, working people are forgotten as taxes continue to rise.

"I know when I am speaking to my neighbours here that so many of us are finding it really hard. Whether that is hundreds more on a monthly mortgage bill or having to cut down on a weekly food shop, there are so many of us who are struggling who never thought we would be in this position.

"People here work hard and they deserve to be rewarded for that. That is why I'm fighting for Thurrock at the general election.

"These are all political choices and it just doesn't have to be like this. I'm standing to give my community hope. Only Labour can deliver change."

That argument cut little ice with Dame Doyle-Price who said: "Last year, the government cut your National Insurance from 12% to 10%. This week the Chancellor announced we are cutting your National Insurance again from 10% to 8%. That's a £900 tax cut for people on average salaries. 

"Conservatives will always work hard to make sure that you are able to keep more of the money you earn. But we have to be honest. 

"Our economy has gone through big shocks as a result of the pandemic and the Ukraine war. We spent £370 Billions on protecting people's jobs and that money has to be repaid. But we have a plan for recovery and the economy is turning a corner.

"Inflation is more than halved. Spending is under control. So that's why we can afford to cut taxes for hardworking families. This is good for jobs, good for the economy — and ensures that work always pays.

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"If we stick to the plan we will deliver the high wage high growth economy that we want to see.

"Looking to the future we are going to have to spend more money on defence if we are to make the world a safer place.

"And we must tackle housing. The failure to build enough new homes has led to inflated prices and crippling rents. It is a massive policy failure and it seems that the tools Government have tried to use to encourage building have simply not been effective enough."