‘At last, a proper government’: Readers react to Budget 2024, but some aren't happy

Today, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered Labour's first budget in more than 14 years. It follow's the party's return to power in the July general election.

The Autumn Budget 2024 and announced tax rises of almost £40bn. Among the measures are a 1.2 percentage point increase for employers’ national insurance contributions to 15% in April 2025. The threshold for paying them will fall from £9,100 per year to £5,000.

But there will also be an increase to the minimum wage. And on personal taxes, the Government said it will not extend the freeze on income tax and national insurance thresholds beyond 2027/28.

READ MORE: UK Budget 2024 LIVE updates as Rachel Reeves announces changes to tax, benefits and pensions

Speaking to the House of Commons this afternoon (October 30), the Chancellor said it would “hurt working people” to keep thresholds frozen. Reeves added that national insurance, VAT or income tax will not increase for working people in this Budget.

“I say to working people: I will not increase your national insurance, your VAT, or your income tax,” Ms Reeves said.

A “flat rate duty” on vaping liquid will be introduced from October 2026. Taxes will also increase on tobacco. Meanwhile draught duty on alcoholic drinks will fall by 1.7%, meaning “a penny off a pint in the pub”.

And readers of the Manchester Evening News have reacted to what some described as 'the best budget they had seen in years', with one writing on Facebook: “At last, a proper government,” while another celebrated: “Brilliant news.”

People are remarking on the minimum wage increase might encourage more people into work. They said: “The minimum wage going up will make working more attractive than not.”

Another Facebook user said: “Good, people need a liveable wage!!”

Not everyone is pleased though as someone has commented that it is: “Still not enough.”

People are suggesting that the increase in minimum wage might lead to further burdens on small businesses. Someone commented: “The businesses will just pass the cost down to the customers” while another said: “Putting more pressure on already struggling small businesses.”

A sceptical Facebook user said: “More tax higher energy bills increase in fuel and shopping give with one hand take with the other.”

And people have questions on the budget - one person has asked: “What about people on a zero hour contract?”

Rachel Reeves delivered her first Autumn Budget today at 12.30 pm which involved updates on vaping, pension rates increasing, a change to inheritance tax and more. Following the delivery of the Autumn Budget the MPs will now have the opportunity to debate the contents of the budget before the changes are implemented.