Hart goes for Growth – but has Hastings been left behind?
The Growth Plan announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng on 23 September involving tax cuts, energy price caps and huge government borrowing came under immediate and sustained attack from international currency markets, the International Monetary Fund, and many economic commentators. However, Sally Ann Hart, Conservative MP for Hastings & Rye, issued a press release last week endorsing her support for the Chancellor’s programme.
“In the face of rising energy prices and cost of living pressures it is right that the Government has come forward with a serious support package and a plan for real growth”, she wrote. “I welcome the support set out for people across Hastings and Rye, including cuts to National Insurance contributions, Income Tax and Stamp Duty – all helping families to keep more of their hard-earned money. These announcements are the reforms we need to grow our economy – delivering higher wages, lower taxes and more money for our public services.”
These announcements are the reforms we need to grow our economy – delivering high wages, lower taxes and more money for our public services
Sally Ann Hart MP
She made no reference to the proposed abolition of the top 45% income tax rate which Mr Kwarteng later withdrew.
The Growth Plan listed 38 local authorities across the country with whom the government is in “early discussions” to establish local Investment Zones that will benefit from tax incentives and “wider” economic support. These include Kent and Essex but not East Sussex, nor do any of the listed “illustrative sites” or “infra-structure projects” relate to this region.
No complaints
Asked whether she has sought, or been offered, any explanation for her constituency area being excluded from these lists despite its status of economic deprivation, Mrs Hart admitted that “an Investment Zone covering some of Hastings and Rother would be of great benefit to both businesses and residents as they could help turbo-charge job creation and regeneration by unlocking investment into our local communities”. But she declined to complain about the exclusion.
“Levelling up areas across the country that most need it remains at the core of the Government’s agenda and the recently announced Investment Zones are a welcome and clear example of this,” she said.
Mrs Hart had met with ministers of the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to discuss the Investment Zones, and claimed that it had been confirmed to her that new applications “can soon be made for Zones in addition to the 38 already announced…. I am seeking to work with the relevant stakeholders to help ensure the local opportunities we have to offer are fully recognised and supported.”
Sunak supporters
She avoided comment on the suggestion that Hastings and Rye had been excluded because she had voiced her preference for Rishi Sunak over Liz Truss in the recent Conservative leadership contest.
However, MP for the neighbouring constituency of Bexhill and Battle, Huw Merriman, who was also a Sunak supporter, has been less loyal in his response to the Growth Plan. “Those of us who backed Rishi Sunak lost the contest, but this poll suggests that the victor is losing our voters with policies we warned against”, he said. “For the good of our country, and the livelihoods of everyone in our country, I still hope to be proven wrong.”
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