Labour is backing Hartlepool, backing working people and backing the businesses that keep our town moving.

Our latest Budget shows exactly what that means.

Let’s start with people’s pockets.

This January, more than 42,000 Hartlepool households will benefit from the new £100 Household Energy Payment, funded by a tax on banks.

Chancellor John Healey poses for photographs as he leaves 11 Downing Street, London, before delivering his first Budget. PIC: Stefan Rousseau/Press Association

placeholder image — Chancellor John Healey poses for photographs as he leaves 11 Downing Street, London, before delivering his first Budget. PIC: Stefan Rousseau/Press Association

The 0% VAT rate on electricity is being extended, the 5p fuel duty cut is being maintained, green levies are being removed from bills and gas standing charges are being abolished, with electricity to follow.

That is real help with the bills families face.

Our businesses are getting a major boost, too.

Increasing the business rates threshold from £12,000 to £18,000 is a gamechanger for small businesses.

I have spoken directly to Hartlepool business owners who will be taken out of business rates altogether, saving thousands of pounds to invest in their businesses, employ staff and grow.

Alongside this, Hartlepool’s retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses will benefit from a real-terms business rates freeze over the next two years.

Our independent shops, pubs, cafés, and restaurants are the lifeblood of Hartlepool. They deserve a Government that backs them.

And we are investing in our town centre.

Hartlepool is receiving £1 million through the Derelict Buildings Fund to tackle neglected buildings, bring empty properties back into use and breathe new life into our high streets.

That comes on top of the £1.5 million Pride in Place Impact Fund I secured and the £20 million Pride in Place programme that will deliver investment over the next decade.

Housing is another priority. An additional £1.5 billion nationally will support around 10,000 more social and affordable homes alongside £4.7 billion to help around 70,000 first-time buyers.

Our young people deserve the opportunity to build their futures here.

From advanced nuclear and engineering to manufacturing and offshore energy, our town can be at the heart of Britain’s next industrial revolution.

We have powered Britain before. We can power its future too.

We are doing this against a difficult global economic backdrop.

Every pound invested matters. Every business given a better chance matters. Every job created matters.

Hartlepool first. Our people first. Our town’s future first.

I believe in Hartlepool. I believe in our people. And I believe our best days are not behind us.

They are ahead of us.