A local councillor has shared his thoughts on Christmas financial difficulties, community support, the Autumn statement and more.

Cllr Raymond Payne, a Liberal Democrat Councillor at Rutland County Council, has voiced his concerns for Rutland residents who are struggling on the run up to the festive period, and mused the Autumn Statement, that was released by central Government last week.

Cllr Raymond Payne said: "I trust that Rutland residents are well and gearing up for the annual excess that we call Christmas, although I fear that for many people it will be a battle to enjoy the festivities without going further into debt, especially for those with children.

"I have just spent a very pleasant afternoon with members of the Oakham Baptist Church, but the thing that struck me most was their commitment to the local community and their concern for those who might struggle, again, this Christmas. I was very impressed with their plans to help local residents at this festive time of year and their genuine concern for the less well off in our community.

Cllr Payne continued: "The recent damp squib that was the Autumn Statement did nothing for local government finances except store up more problems down the line."

The Autumn statement sets out Government plans surrounding spending, wage, investment and more.

In summary, the 2023 Autumn Statement, released on 22 November, saw the Tory-led central Government:

• Cut employee National Insurance by 2%
• Reduced spending on public services by £19bn (accounting for inflation)
• pledge to get 200,000 people into work
• implement mandatory work experience for those claiming benefits who have not worked in 18 month - and tougher requirements to find work
• Living wage increased to £11.44, and extended to 21-year-olds
• £1m to aerospace and green tech
• state pension increased by 8.5%
• benefits increased by 6.5%
• business rate discount in retail, leisure and hospitality
• Class 2 National Insurance abolished
• explore options for the sale of some of the government's stake in NatWest

View the full Autumn Statement here.

Central Government said that "the Autumn Statement takes a responsible approach to spending to keep debt falling, cuts taxes for working people and businesses, reforms welfare to help people into work and removes barriers to business investment to boost growth."

Cllr Payne, however, concluded: "The only plan that the Government has, and I use that term in its loosest possible connotation, is to keep kicking the very real problems that local government has, down an ever longer road. Perhaps they are looking for a magical solution? Me, I'm just waiting for the General Election."