Why Rishi Sunak loses my vote as Budget betrays the elderly

Northern Powerhouse will still be Rishi Sunak’s ultimate test – Tom Richmond

MY local MP, Rishi Sunak, presented his first Budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer last Wednesday. For the first time in 10 years, he promised a spending spree, which is welcome after all the years of austerity, when we have seen the money in our pocket devalued.

But not a thought to the older generation who live on the lowest retirement pension in Europe and continue to be taxed on any employment pension which they have earned and paid tax on whilst working.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak (right) sits down after delivering his Budget.

I note from my new tax coding that any raise in my retirement pension due in April is offset by the lowering of my tax code and, therefore, raises the amount of tax taken. It wipes out the increase.

Bearing in mind that in June we are expected to pay for the BBC TV licence which has been free for the over-75s; a promise made by Parliament, albeit a Labour government. If I watch only commercial stations this licence has to be paid still. With the coronavirus epidemic due to be become more widespread, the older population are going to be staying at home and becoming more reliant on watching TV with very many being unable to find the price of the BBC licence.

Shame on you, Rishi. The majority of your voters in Richmondshire, are in the older age bracket. I, for one, will not be voting for you in future.

From: Mike Bytheway, Oakwood.

REGARDING the Budget ban on polluting red diesel which is used in machinery on building sites, it has been suggested by a supplier of this fuel that this will add £5,000 to the cost of a new home (The Yorkshire Post, March 11).

Surely this would be avoided by not paying out bonuses of millions of pounds to the directors of building companies which collect Government support subsidies?

From: ME Wright, Harrogate.

LAST Saturday evening, The Headrow traffic in Leeds was driving on the right. At the bus station, they were playing Beethoven’s Ode to Joy – the EU anthem. Any Brexiteers striving to blame the virus on Europe must have been seriously discombobulated!

From: Andrew Mercer, Guiseley.

IN the aftermath of the Budget, there are a great many of us who’d prefer Rishi Sunak to be co-ordinating the response to coronavirus. He sounds like a PM in waiting. Do others agree?