MP calls on the Chancellor to deliver for North Devon’s hospital and farms

Ahead of the Autumn Budget tomorrow (Wednesday, November 26) North Devon’s MP is calling on the Chancellor to ‘deliver real change’ for the region’s hospital, public services and family farms.

Ian Roome says the Budget must be a ‘turning point’, delivering real economic growth, tackling the cost of living, saving high streets and properly funding the NHS, schools and local councils, instead of ‘leaving communities struggling with overstretched public services and rising costs’.

Last week Mr Roome attended the demolition of the old residences at North Devon District Hospital - the same block he stayed in briefly years ago when he worked there as a nurse.

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This marked an important first step in the Our Future Hospital programme, freeing up land needed for future phases after years of campaigning for proper investment. Mr Roome is now urging the Government to bring forward the next phases sooner and back them with the funding required.

While some funding has been pledged to replace ageing staff accommodation and for an MRI scanner suite, Labour rowed back on promises made by the previous government for a hospital-wide rebuild, saying financial constraints meant it wouldn’t happen until at least 2035.

Mr Roome said: “The work starting at North Devon District Hospital is really welcome, but it’s only the beginning, which is why this Budget is a real chance to deliver.

“We still need investment in an upgraded ICU, modern operating theatres and a new MRI suite – and we need it sooner, not years down the line.

“It’s no good talking about ‘stability’ and ‘tough choices’ while people here in North Devon are already grappling with those every day.”

Referring to changes that saw a cap in agricultural property relief of £1million – the threshold which will apply for inheritance tax when farms are passed to the next generation – Mr Roome added:

“We see it from the damaging Family Farm Tax to the under-investment in our hospital. Rachel Reeves has shown she simply doesn’t understand rural communities.

“This is why I am also calling for the Family Farm Tax to be abolished. If it is kept, it would be a devastating blow to family farms.

“The Conservatives left behind a damaged economy, but the Chancellor has repeatedly made the wrong choices. We need real change in North Devon that tackles the cost of living, drives growth and makes big banks, tech giants and large online gambling companies pay their fair share, instead of punishing local businesses, hardworking families and farmers.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to deliver her Budget to the House of Commons at 12.30pm on Wednesday, November 26.

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