HALESOWEN’S new Labour MP Alex Ballinger has welcomed measures in the Budget which included spending pledges that will see £20 million invested in regenerating Halesowen town centre.

The proposed Black Country Metro extension was given a shout out in Parliament in yesterday's Budget speech by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in which she pledged funds to extend the Metro from Dudley to Brierley Hill, alongside a raft of expected tax hikes set to come into effect in April 2025.

Labour’s Alex Ballinger has given his thoughts on his party’s first Budget since 2010, which included pledges to fix the NHS and reform public services, a freeze on alcohol and fuel duties, alongside an increase in the Living Wage to £12.21 per hour for over 21s (£10 for 18 to 20-year-olds), a state pension rise of 4.1 per cent and a 1.2 per cent increase in NI contributions paid by employers.

Alex, who spoke in Parliament in support of the Budget, said the Chancellor has committed to ensuring there are no changes to working people’s payslips as income tax, employee national insurance and VAT remain the same and he added that the Budget will “provide a boost to investment across rail, schools and hospitals whilst keeping debt on a downward path”.

He said Rachel Reeves set out the tough decisions needed to restore economic stability and he added: "I am absolutely determined to deliver for Halesowen and am delighted that the Chancellor has come through for us, with a Labour Budget that will fix the NHS, repair local roads, and rebuild Britain.

"I’m really pleased to see the Government is providing £1 billion to revitalize our high streets and the infrastructure most important to local people. This includes £20 million to regenerate Halesowen Town Centre and £20 million to redevelop Haden Hill Leisure Centre in Cradley Heath.”