Suffolk reacts to Hunt's unsurprising pre-election budget

But one move that had officials at the county council scratching their heads was a proposal to spend £105m on 15 new SEND free school units across the country - they had heard nothing about whether Suffolk would be included in this.

With special needs education at the top of the council's agenda following last month's damning Ofsted report, officials are likely to try to find out if any of these schools will be in this area.

But £105m spread among 15 schools across the whole UK is spreading the money quite thinly.

One other move that was a surprise was the extension of a fund set up to help the poorest families during the cost of living crisis.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told the Commons: “The Household Support Fund was set up on a temporary basis and due to conclude at the end of this month.

“I have decided that – with the battle against inflation still not over – now is not the time to stop the targeted help it offers. We will therefore continue it at current levels for another six months.”

MPs from all parties, including Suffolk Coastal's Dr Therese Coffey, had urged an extension to the fund.

Other moves, including a 2% cut to National Insurance rates, a continued freeze on fuel duty and on alcohol taxes had been widely forecast - as had Mr Hunt's decision to abolish Non Dom tax status.

Mr Hunt said he would be funding the NHS productivity plan in full - which could lead to a major update of its IT systems and make the service more efficient.

But there was a warning from Paul Johnson, of the Institute of Financial Studies, that his promises to improve funding to health, childcare and defence could lead to cuts to other public services.

The East of England Local Government Association (EELGA) had hoped for additional support for the region and for the sector in the 2024 Spring Budget and this was not forthcoming.

Suffolk County Council leader Matthew Hicks. (Image: Suffolk County Council)

Matthew Hicks, Chair of EELGA and Leader of Suffolk County Council, said: “We believe that the scale of opportunity in the East of England is still unrecognised with a lack of investment in our core infrastructure.

“It should also be recognised that our region’s councils continue to work tirelessly to ensure the efficient use of their stretched resources to deliver the best possible outcomes for communities."

County council deputy leader and Conservative candidate for the new Waveney Valley seat Richard Rout said:  “Due to the legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic and the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the last few years have not been easy for the British economy or working people in our country.

“The government has been working hard to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt. Good progress is being made.

“Sticking to this plan has enabled the Chancellor to deliver a budget that backs working people and families, backs business and backs our NHS."

But Labour candidate for Ipswich Jack Abbott was not impressed:  “This Budget was an exercise in trying to manage the warring factions within the Conservative Party, rather than doing what’s best for the UK.

"The result was a superficial Budget that looked inwards rather than addressing the deep and wide-ranging challenges facing Ipswich and our country.

“If this Budget was the height of the Conservatives’ ambition, then their Party is in serious trouble. 

“Businesses in Ipswich and Suffolk want stability and confidence after years of volatility. That's what they'll get from me locally as Ipswich's MP, Rachel Reeves as Chancellor, Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, and The Labour Party in government.”

And Green Party co-leader, and Waveney Valley candidate, Adrian Ramsay said: “This budget will do nothing to fix our crumbling services in East Anglia.

"People in our region know that we need more investment in services like NHS dentistry, GPs and public transport. In fact, reduced taxes will have to paid for with even more cuts in these vital services.

“The county councils of Norfolk and Suffolk are making massive cuts, despite both of them increasing council tax by the maximum they are allowed, with Suffolk warning that the numbers of young people not in employment or training or education could surge as a result of their cuts."