The CCF is delighted to see Christian Conservative principles of social justice and stewardship take centre stage in the Chancellor's spending priorities.
George Osborne claimed in his 2016 Budget speech to Parliament that under the leadership of this Prime Minister "inequality is down, child and pensioner poverty is down and the gender pay gap has never been smaller". He said that "this Government is not prepared to let people be left behind."
- Delivering fundamental reforms to business tax system by closing loopholes and lowing business tax rates
- Empowering local people through further devolution to local government
- Committing to major new national infrastructure developments
- Improving quality of education to help children to succeed and boost long-term economic productivity
- Supporting people who "work hard and save"
The Chancellor suggested that the Conservative Government is able to deliver better disability support to the most vulnerable as the Department for Work and Pension's disability support budget is set to rise by more than £1 billion.
He also unveiled a sugar levy on soft drinks manufacturers which he says will tackle child obesity and "help children’s health and wellbeing". The £520 million that the levy will raise (according to OBR estimates) will be used to double sports funding for schools and to extend the school day for more pupils to participate in sports activities.
Fuel duty will be frozen for the sixth consecutive year, which represents a saving of £75 a year to the average driver. Tobacco duty will rise in order to continue the Conservative's drive to improve public health.
The tax-free personal allowance will rise to £11,500 in April 2017, cutting taxes for 31 million Britons and taking 1.3 million people out of tax completely. The Chancellor declared this measure as "social justice delivered by Conservative means".
Church leaders across the country will also be heartened to hear that the Cathedral Repair Fund, which has helped listed Anglican and Catholic cathedrals carry out necessary building repairs, will be extended by £20 million.