Budget 2021: Missed opportunities for NHS and green economy concern Leeds couple

The chancellor missed a number of opportunities in his Budget to make a difference  in key areas including the NHS and the green economy, according to a Leeds couple.
Martin and Fiona Hughes pictured outside their home at Horsforth.

Photo:  Simon HulmeMartin and Fiona Hughes pictured outside their home at Horsforth.

Photo:  Simon Hulme
Martin and Fiona Hughes pictured outside their home at Horsforth. Photo: Simon Hulme

Martin Hughes, a semi retired director of a house maintenance and renovation company and his wife Fiona, a semi-retired computer consultant, have been giving their reactions to today's (March 3) budget.

Mr Hughes, 64, who is chairman Horsforth Civic Society and a former Horsforth town councillor, said he found the content of the budget "encouraging" but said he agreed with opposition leader Keir Starmer that there were "so many missed opportunities."

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Mr Hughes, who is also chairman of Newlay Conservation Society, said: "He didn't really talk about the NHS at all and I feel it's massively behind on dealing with its basic caseload.

Martin and Fiona Hughes pictured outside their home at Horsforth.

Photo:  Simon HulmeMartin and Fiona Hughes pictured outside their home at Horsforth.

Photo:  Simon Hulme
Martin and Fiona Hughes pictured outside their home at Horsforth. Photo: Simon Hulme

"The result is that without extra resources these enormous waiting queues will not decline quickly.

"The catch-up the NHS has to do is huge and I didn't hear about any resources going into that.

"He missed the opportunity to create jobs, business and opportunities in the green environment.

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Fiona Hughes, 65, said: thought it was a fairly typical business budget as you would expect from a Tory Chancellor.

"Good for business and, I hope, good for Covid recovery.

"I'm a little worried about stoking up the housing market with mortgage guarantees.

"There's a scheme to support 95 per cent mortgages, which has been done in the past and all it did was increase house prices.

"He's doing a scheme to support people who can only afford a five per cent deposit on their mortgage. Last time it just ended up in a boom to the house price market.

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"What we need is more affordable housing being built. and there was nothing in particular that I saw today that would do that.

"I think there should have been more investment in green technology.

"They have to make a big push on green issues if you are going to do anything about global warming and I still don't think they're doing enough."

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