Tom Gordon MP: Budget Fails Harrogate and Knaresborough

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has slammed today’s Autumn Budget as another missed opportunity to deliver for local communities and businesses.

Representing a constituency with a thriving tourism and hospitality sector, Tom had called for measures to boost growth and support high streets – including scrapping the job tax, reforming business rates, and cutting VAT. These are changes local businesses have
repeatedly told him they need to survive and thrive.

But instead of delivering that support, the Chancellor ignored these calls. Her plans heap more pressure on small businesses, hike taxes across the board, and offer nothing substantial for hospitality – leaving high streets and town centres at risk of further decline.

Working people have also been hit hard, with the Chancellor breaking her pledge not to raise taxes – a damaging U-turn that will hit families across Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Tom expressed deep frustration that, while support is being cut and communities like ours are taxed to breaking point, our area is seeing nothing in return. The Budget delivered no new funding for North Yorkshire, no commitment to upgrade infrastructure, and no progress on key projects such as dualling the Knaresborough – York rail line or upgrading the York ring road – vital improvements Tom has long championed.

Tom said it was unacceptable that Harrogate and Knaresborough have once again been overlooked by a Chancellor more focused on funnelling investment to the South while punishing the wrong sectors for the country’s finances. He pledged to keep standing up for
our community and fighting for the funding and infrastructure Harrogate and Knaresborough need to thrive.

Commenting, Tom said:

‘This Budget was a chance to deliver real change for communities like ours. Instead, the Chancellor has let Harrogate and Knaresborough down – piling pressure on small businesses, hammering high streets, and hitting hardworking families with higher taxes.

‘And while communities like ours are taxed to breaking point, we’re getting nothing back. No investment in local infrastructure, no progress on dualling the Knaresborough-York line, and no improvements to the York ring road.

‘The Conservatives left our economy in tatters, but Labour is making the wrong choices. We need a plan that drives growth without punishing local businesses and families. Harrogate and Knaresborough deserve better – and I’ll keep fighting for the funding and investment our community needs.’