Autumn Budget special and November highlights
What the announcements mean for the New Forest plus key local updates
Hello and welcome to the new-look and newly named New Forest Dispatch!
Today is our official relaunch, and we’re kicking off with a beaut - reactions to the Autumn Budget. I recommend grabbing a cuppa, people had a lot to say.
Here’s what is coming up in this edition:
Autumn Budget: New Forest MP, councillors, businesses and residents reactions
Plus: Ferry mentioned in Parliament and quick update on the local government reorganisation
If you have a story you’d like to share or would like to sponsor a future edition, please reach out editor@newforestdispatch.co.uk.
Enjoy!
Kerri L Watt
Editor
Autumn Budget: New Forest MP, councillors, businesses and residents reactions
It wouldn’t be Budget day in Parliament without some drama, and this year did not disappoint - the full report was leaked and discussed in the media before the Chancellor even stood to make the live announcements.
And let’s not forget the migraine-inducing shouting from oppositions, and constant interruptions, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves was speaking.
What it means for the New Forest
In the last day, we’ve spoken directly to local leaders, businesses and residents who shared mixed responses to today’s Budget. While some welcomed support for households and the end of the two-child cap, others raised concerns about frozen tax thresholds and rising costs for small firms.
Highlights from the announcements…
National Minimum Wage rising from £12.21 to £12.71 (4.1%) for over 21s
Income Tax and National Insurance thresholds frozen until 2031
State pensions rising 4.8% from April
Two-child benefit cap ending from April
Taxes increasing on savings interest, dividends and property income
Prescription charges frozen at £9.90 for 2026-27
Cost of living, wages and household pressures
Today’s Budget brought a mixture of relief and concern for residents. While the rise in the National Minimum Wage was widely welcomed, many noted this alone won’t offset higher taxes, frozen thresholds and rising living costs across the New Forest.
Anonymous resident
“Higher taxes on property income will hit renters, not landlords. I’ve already been evicted twice in three years because landlords either raised rents or sold up. I’m worried this will push already astronomical rents even higher.”
Employment concerns were also raised by younger workers who say the job market feels increasingly hostile.
Hannah, house and pet sitter
“I’ve applied for over 100 jobs I’m over-qualified for and heard nothing back. I have fallen into house sitting as it was always a side job while working. I might make £30 a day, so £900 a month, if I’m able to have a client every day.“Employment in the UK is devastating. I have a degree and a good CV, but I don’t know how millennials in our mid-30s are expected to afford rent, let alone save for a house deposit.”
Local councillors also said the freeze on tax thresholds will hit working families.
Councillor Alex Wade, Liberal Democrats, Hythe Central
“Freezing tax thresholds will bring more of us into higher tax bands. It raises the tax burden on working people who are already struggling with the cost of living.”
Local government, MP and council services
Council voices raised concerns about the lack of long-term funding support for local authorities - a key issue in the New Forest where services are already under strain.
Councillor Alex Wade, Liberal Democrats, Hythe Central
“It’s deeply embarrassing and frankly irresponsible how the Budget was leaked.“More playground and library funding is welcome, however, it is catching up on years of local government funding and this government has yet to provide the support needed for valued services at all council levels.
“Hythe and Dibden budget £100,000 per play area improvement so the government’s £18m won’t get you far as you think.
“Rising fuel duty will impact New Forest residents and businesses who have no choice to drive in a rural area.”
Councillor Steve Clarke, Conservatives, Milton
“I am extremely disappointed with the budget. This has led to the highest level of taxation in modern times.“The average hard working family will be worse off with many paying higher taxes.
“I fear all business whether large or small will feel the effects and will hesitate to employ more staff, especially young people most in need of employment.
“Those who have paid the higher cost of an EV car on the promise of cheaper and greener usage have been betrayed by the imposition of mileage tax which will not promote the use of electric vehicles and in turn have a negative impact on the motor industry.”
Speaking to the New Forest Dispatch, our New Forest West MP was highly critical of the Government’s handling of the Budget and the economic outlook.
Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne MP, Conservatives, New Forest West
“The economy is still reeling from the impact of the Chancellor’s last budget. Business confidence was destroyed months beforehand when we were warned that things were bound to get worse before they got better.“Their anti-growth agenda is only half the story. The other half is that the government is over-spending, even its bloated plans overshot by 4.1%. The retreat from its very modest proposals for restraining the growth of the benefits bill is a disaster.
“Entrepreneurs and investors are leaving in droves to more business-friendly climates. The Chancellor is killing the goose.”
Nationally, local government leaders criticised the overall direction of travel.
Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU)
“This Budget treats councils as tax collectors for Whitehall: taking all of the political heat but getting none of the benefit.“Most telling of all is the introduction of an additional levy on council tax - money that won’t support cash-strapped councils but will instead go straight back to Whitehall not the town hall.
“This government came to power promising devolution, localism and community empowerment. Based on this budget, that’s still work in progress.”
Local business reaction: wage rises, tax changes and uncertainty
Local businesses across the New Forest expressed cautious concern, with several describing the Budget as a mixed picture for employers already under pressure.
Matthew Lawson, Chair, New Forest Business Partnership
“From our conversations with New Forest businesses, responses reflect a strong level of concern across companies of all sizes, with recurring themes around business rates, VAT, labour costs and investment confidence.“The hospitality sector in particular faces severe challenges, with 63% expecting decreased profit margins over the next year.
“The most pressing concerns centre on business rates, described as “crippling” and “devastating,” alongside strong calls for VAT reduction.
“Combined labour cost pressures from minimum wage increases and employer National Insurance changes are forcing businesses to consider reduced hours, job cuts and price increases.
“Investment confidence has been significantly damaged, with 76% reporting negative effects on plans for refurbishment, technology and sustainability initiatives.
“Businesses overwhelmingly feel unsupported, with the vast majority believing the Budget will fail to adequately support workforce development.”
Andy Pringle, Business Support Manager, IncuHive
“The minimum wage rise is good for workers facing rising domestic bills, but it adds strain to businesses on tight margins. Many of our local employers are now facing difficult choices. The biggest positive is that uncertainty has lifted and businesses can finally plan ahead.”
John Fogg, Principal, John Fogg Financial Planning
“Above-inflation rises to the minimum wage will impact hospitality and high street businesses already under pressure. Lower business rates for 750,000 retail, hospitality and leisure properties from 2026 will hopefully mitigate some of this.”
To find out what the Budget means for New Forest businesses and entrepreneurs, the Chamber of Commerce is hosting an event with John Fogg Financial Planning. For more information: click here.
Housing market uncertainty
Peter Johnson, Co-Owner, Homes of Hampshire
“Leaks and rumours in the run-up to the Budget slowed the housing market. The new High Value Council Tax Surcharge (Mansion Tax) will affect properties over £2 million.“Eighty five percent of affected homes are in London and the South East. Landlords paying an extra 2% tax on property income may decide to sell, reducing rental supply and should that occur, rents will rise.”
One councillor also raised concerns about the proposed mansion tax, noting in a Facebook post:
Councillor David Harrison, Liberal Democrats, Totton South and Marchwood
“Pleased to see that the budget includes a plan to include a new mansion tax on properties valued at over £2 million. It isn’t something that the Conservatives would have ever included.“Many people will be hit by tax rises but there are some measures which will help alleviate the problem of growing inequality, particularly child poverty. It’s frankly best that those who can afford to pay a bit more, do so.”
Wider funding pressures
Broader financial pressures were also raised, with the New Forest continuing to face ongoing funding challenges.
Councillor David Harrison, Liberal Democrats, Totton South and Marchwood
“The most significant impact on the New Forest specifically is how funding for National Parks has been treated.“The core funding which enables it to operate has been reduced by about 12% once inflation and National Insurance contributions have been taken into account.
“The funding for farming in protected landscapes (FIPL) has been extended for a further year but this money is of little benefit to the Authority when it comes to its’ distressed condition caused by repeated underfunding.”
Together, the responses paint a mixed picture for the New Forest - cautious support for some measures, set against deep concern over rising costs, frozen thresholds and the lack of long-term investment in local services.
As ever, New Forest Dispatch will continue to track what these changes mean for the area we call home.
November updates
Ferries mentioned in Parliament
Earlier this month, Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson presented his Ferry services Bill in Parliament proposing new laws regulating how private ferry companies operate.
He believes ferries should have the same rules on pricing, timetabling and performance as private train and bus companies.
New Forest Dispatch spoke with Wightlink, who provide a ferry service from Lymington to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.
CEO Katy Taylor said: “We actively gather customer feedback through Meet the Team events, conversations with local MPs, and customer reviews, and we welcome direct dialogue on how we can continue to improve our services.
“Currently, 90% of Island resident journeys use fixed price or discounted tickets. Multilink vehicle passes start from £31.35, foot passenger passes from £7, and season tickets from £6.25 per day. This summer, we also introduced a £40 fixed price vehicle ticket exclusively for residents.
“Our timetable includes up to 140 sailings a day across three routes and six ports, operating 364 days a year, with a 24-hour service between Fishbourne and Portsmouth. Our winter schedule offers more sailings than any other Island operator.”
The bill will return to Parliament for further discussion on January 16.
Local government reorganisation
Click here to have your say on the current plans.
Thanks for joining me for this relaunch edition!
If you’ve got a tip, story, question or concern about life in the New Forest, my inbox is always open…
editor@newforestdispatch.co.uk
