Budget brings energy support and business relief to southern England

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 21:21 · Archive

The Government is providing £100 energy payments to nearly 100,000 Southampton households and removing gas standing charges.

The Government's Autumn Budget includes direct support for households and businesses in southern England. Nearly 100,000 Southampton households will receive £100 payments into their bank accounts to help with energy costs. The Budget also extends the VAT cut on electricity bills and freezes fuel duty.

Gas standing charges are being removed entirely, a move welcomed by Southampton MP Darren Paffey, who said he had campaigned for this measure. The Budget also includes improved parental leave arrangements for the self-employed.

Business rates relief features prominently in the package. Taking nearly half of retail, hospitality and leisure properties in the region out of business rates altogether is expected to provide significant support to high street businesses. Paffey said businesses he had spoken with in Southampton welcomed this measure.

The Government described the Budget as providing 'breathing space' for households while investing in Britain's future. Portsmouth also receives millions from the package for homes, derelict buildings, energy costs and rough sleeping support.

However, Hampshire County Council has sounded a warning note. The council is facing a projected budget shortfall of nearly £199m by 2027/28. Council leader Cllr Nick Adams-King said the gap cannot be closed through efficiencies and reserve funds alone, and urgent government support is needed. The council has already delivered £770m of recurrent savings over twenty years but faces rising demand for services, particularly in adult social care and support for children and adults with complex needs.

How it is being reported

• County council warns £199m budget gap cannot be closed without government helpHampshire County Council is facing a projected budget shortfall of nearly £199m by 2027/28.Romsey Advertiser · 30 Oct, 14:42
• Budget brings millions for Portsmouth but council says more support is neededThe Budget includes millions for homes, derelict buildings, energy costs and rough sleepingThe News, Portsmouth · 30 Oct, 14:32
• POLITICAL COMMENT: Budget delivers breathing space today and fresh hope for the future for PortsmouthFamilies will receive direct help with energy bills, motorists will see fuel duty frozen and thousands more high-street businesses will be taken out of business rates, as the Labour Government backs working people today while investing in Britain’s future.The News, Portsmouth · 28 Oct, 18:31
• Southampton MP praises Autumn Budget for business and householdsHampshire MP Darren Paffey welcomes Budget support for Southampton: £100 energy payments for nearly 100,000 households, scrapped gas standing charges and business rates relief.Southern Daily Echo · 28 Oct, 18:16

In this story: Southampton · Hampshire · Portsmouth · Darren Paffey · Hampshire County Council · Nick Adams-King

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log