The run up to the Budget has been marred by poor communication, leading to widespread confusion and a negative impact on the economy. A lot of businesses and families will be glad when the Budget is out in the open.

However, if the Chancellor does allow local leaders in Leeds to keep more of their business rates in next week’s Budget, as The Yorkshire Post understands, then that is a move that is to be warmly welcomed.

Rachel Reeves is expected to announce a new Leeds City Fund on Wednesday. The fund would enable local leaders to invest in housing, roads and public transport.

With the economy stuck in a rut, these are the sort of measures that are greatly needed. Building more houses and investing in public transport will get the economy moving in the right direction again.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers a speech in the media briefing room of 9 Downing Street. PIC: Justin Tallis/PA Wire

placeholder image — Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers a speech in the media briefing room of 9 Downing Street. PIC: Justin Tallis/PA Wire

It is devolution on a microcosmic level. And it has long been established that local leaders are better placed to make decisions that affect their communities than those in Whitehall.

That does not detract from the need for the big ticket infrastructure investment, namely Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). The dither and delay has only added to concerns that it is likely to be reduced to a rump. NPR has the potential to supercharge the North’s economy.

And the Chancellor should also rethink the disastrous policy announced in last year’s Budget that has spread anxiety amongst our farmers.

Farmers are already considering selling off land to pay inheritance tax bills after the Chancellor’s announcement that a 20 per cent inheritance tax would be applied on farms worth more than £1m in April 2026.

In an uncertain global environment, Britain must do everything it can to ensure food security. Farmers selling land is antithetical to that need.