Steve Darling calls for more Budget support for Torbay
Steve Darling, MP for Torbay, expressed disappointment that the Budget failed to address the Cost of Living Crisis and provide more support for the local economy, particularly the Hospitality industry and NHS estates.
I had hoped the Budget last week would address the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis, as well as boosting our hospitality and high streets, and investing more in our crumbling NHS estates like Torbay Hospital. Although some minor measures have been announced, Torbay has once again been left out in the cold.
The Chancellor did announce some support with energy bills, including the one-off £100 payment for people in Council Tax bands A-D and the removal of standing charges from household gas bills, along with a VAT cut on electricity bills extended to July. However, with Trump’s ongoing war in Iran, these bills are continuing to spiral out of control, and the government is actually continuing to do very little to address the issue.
For the Hospitality industry, the government will increase thresholds for Business Rate Relief for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties from £12,000 to £18,000, so those below that threshold will get 100% relief. However, there were no general measures to benefit the Hospitality industry. As Torbay’s local economy is heavily built on the Hospitality industry, I have been campaigning consistently for a temporary 5% cut in VAT for Hospitality businesses, which would boost this industry and our high streets.
The Chancellor made very little mention of the NHS in his speech, and I was disappointed to find in the Budget document itself that only £190 million is further allocated for this year for NHS England. We need more than this for Torbay Hospital alone. The government cannot keep pushing the issue of our NHS and Social Care into the long grass; it needs urgent action now.
Andy Burnham’s other big project is devolution, ensuring that the power held by central government is increasingly distributed amongst local authorities, who know their area well. Before the Budget, I was concerned to hear about increased funding for areas with mayors, as in the South West we do not currently have an elected mayor; however, it has now been announced that there will be new mayoral authorities for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. I hope this means there is a greater focus on the South West, and that our area will no longer miss out on regional funding.
On Thursday, I spoke in the Budget Debate in Parliament to press the government to take bolder action on all of the above, especially the cost of living crisis, hospitality and our crumbling NHS estates.
I also used my speech to draw attention to the re-opening of the Hole In The Wall in Torbay! The Hole In The Wall is our oldest pub and I am delighted that my uncle, Drew Millin, is performing there on Thursdays and Sundays. I was just disappointed I was not able to make it back from Parliament in time for opening night on Thursday.
In addition to the Cost of Living Crisis, I have serious concerns about our environment, and in particular our water companies. The Water Industry Performance Report from 2025 rated the company 1 star, a ‘poor performance company’; it has remained at 1 or 2 stars since the Environment Agency’s current Environmental Performance Assessment ratings began in 2011.
Whilst I am glad that the Environment Agency have helped to fine South West Water almost £8 million for 18 pollution-related offences, it is clear that fines are not enough. This is why I am campaigning for water company bosses to face criminal penalties, so that they cannot keep abusing our environment.
As always, if you need assistance or would like to share your thoughts, please get in touch. You can reach me at [email protected] or on 07908 349347. For regular updates, sign up to my weekly e-newsletter at www.torbaylibdems.org.uk/newsletter.