Somerset Conservatives have warned that the Autumn Budget places further pressure on working families, small businesses and rural communities at a time when Somerset households are already facing record increases in council tax and rising living costs.
The Budget confirms a £26 billion national tax rise and extends the freeze on personal tax thresholds until 2031, a decision that will leave more Somerset residents paying higher tax while household budgets remain stretched. Local Conservatives say this will add to the strain on families who have already seen council tax rise significantly in recent years and are likely to face further increases as Somerset Council seeks to close a £101 million budget gap for 2026/27.
Somerset Conservatives also highlighted the impact of the Budget’s business rates changes on local high streets, independent shops and village pubs. Despite claims of support for hospitality, many businesses across the country are reporting substantial rises in their business rates following revaluations in this Budget.
Cllr Diogo Rodrigues, Leader of the Somerset Conservatives said, “Somerset’s pubs, shops and village businesses are a core part of our local economy. Many are already struggling, and rising business rates will make it harder to keep doors open. The Government could have chosen to ease the burden on retail and hospitality by scrapping their business rates, but instead these changes will mean higher bills for businesses that are already under real pressure.”
Somerset Conservatives have also raised concerns about the impact of the Budget on farming families, noting that while the Government announced a small adjustment to inheritance tax rules for farm businesses, the NFU has made clear this falls far short of what is needed.
Councillor Diogo Rodrigues said, “Somerset’s farmers needed reassurance in this Budget, and the Government has not gone far enough. The limited adjustment to inheritance rules offers very little protection to the family farms that underpin our rural economy. We risk seeing long-standing Somerset farms forced to break up land, reducing local food production and weakening our food security.”
A difficult year ahead for Somerset
With taxes rising, household budgets tightening and council tax increases certain to continue, Somerset Conservatives say their focus will be on the day-to-day realities facing residents.
Cllr Diogo Rodrigues added, “This Budget takes more from working families while offering limited help to the rural and coastal communities that make up so much of Somerset. People here are already paying more and getting less. Our priority is to stand up for our residents, our local businesses and our farmers, and ensure Somerset has a sustainable future.”
