Many in Newport East have felt real hardship over the last 8 years and the half measures there was little in the Budget to address this.  Women have been particularly badly hit – a point emphasised by the women affected by the state pension changes in the gallery.  There was also no news of a halt to the Universal Credit roll-out, with the Chancellor confirming that the Government will plough on with managed migration despite the real problems with the system, including those I raised in a recent debate in Parliament on behalf of constituents.

A review for the Police does not solve huge funding cuts they have sustained under the Tories, when what we urgently need is more Police and investment in neighbourhood teams.  We have seen UK Government funding to local police forces fall in real terms for the eighth consecutive year – and for Gwent Police this has meant a cut of 40% to their budget.

The Budget is hugely disappointing for Wales with very little on investment in infrastructure – including local rail capacity – and there was nothing to help our steel industry; particularly on key issues like energy prices.