FOR many people, a new year is often a time for reassessing their financial priorities and it is no different for politicians. George Osborne has a harder task than most in Government trying to ensure the nation does not spend more than it can afford. Unfortunately, the task of balancing the country’s finances is not even half done and the Chancellor is looking for a further £25bn of savings from public spending.

Such savings will be tough to achieve, particularly because the Government has continued to ring-fence spending on the NHS and schools and to protect pensions. At the moment, the UK is borrowing around £100bn a year - and paying half that money each year in interest just to service the debt.

This is a terrible burden to place on the younger generations: it is today’s teenagers who will be paying the cost of this current expenditure. It is clear the welfare budget cannot be protected from further substantial cuts and so this is the beginning of a new phase of difficult choices.

The quality and quantity of welfare produced by the state has not been good enough for a very long time and we see clearly that we cannot afford that which we have. People in difficulty deserve good quality help and a hopeful future. The great challenge of our generation is how to deliver that help and hope when state spending is unaffordable and taxes are already at excruciating levels.

Social co-operation through business is now and always has been the best way to create prosperity. Anything else is wishful thinking. The idea that lasting prosperity can be achieved through higher state spending funded by more taxation, borrowing and easy money is a cruel fairy tale ultimately perpetrated against the most vulnerable. I believe it is in everyone’s long-term best interests to extend freedom by reducing the size of the state from present levels.

It is my responsibility to support and hold to account our national Government as they seek to reform our country. That reform will require the active support of our councils and councillors and, in a democracy that means effective public participation in the priorities which are applied and the choices which are made.

Wycombe District Council is responsible for refuse collections, local planning, community safety, street cleaning, leisure and cultural services, car parking and housing.

Bucks County Council provides libraries, schools, transport including roads, waste and recycling, and social care. If you have questions or observations about these services, please direct them to your local councillor in the first instance; their details can be found on either council’s website or by phoning one of their offices. I can be reached on 01494 448408 or via steve.baker.mp@parliament.uk.

I should like to send everyone my best wishes for 2014.