Chesham and Amersham’s MP Sarah Green has called for greater support for those struggling to cope amid the cost of living crisis following the spring Budget.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed on March 6 that he plans to reduce national insurance by 2p in a pre-election giveaway, meaning employees and the self-employed would have a reduced level of personal taxation to an almost 50-year low.

But living standards remain squeezed and millions of people face being dragged into higher tax bands, as the UK is still on course to have an overall tax burden which is rising ‘near to a post-war high’, the budget watchdog said.

Bucks Free Press: Sarah Green has been Chesham and Amersham's MP since 2021Sarah Green has been Chesham and Amersham's MP since 2021 (Image: NA)

Almost seven million people will either be dragged into income tax for the first time or shifted into higher bands by 2028/29 because of the decision not to raise thresholds in line with inflation.

 Reacting to the measures in the Budget, Green said: “This Budget does little for those families in our area who are still struggling with the inflated cost of living.

“This is a shameful double-whammy when tax bills remain sky-high after years of unfair hikes and most households continue to find themselves worse off now than they were a few years ago.

 “This is yet another missed opportunity for this Government to give meaningful support to local people.”

The cut in national insurance was the centrepiece of a Budget which sought to persuade voters to stick with the Conservatives rather than give Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer the keys to No 10.

Mr Hunt offered more help with child benefits for parents earning more than £50,000 and cut the top rate of capital gains tax on property sales – arguing that reducing it from 28 per cent to 24 per cent would bring in more money because of increased activity.

Bucks Free Press: Jeremy Hunt revealed the Budget on March 6Jeremy Hunt revealed the Budget on March 6 (Image: PA)

But as he insisted those with the 'broadest shoulders' would pay more, he committed to scrapping the non-dom status for wealthy foreigners, putting the £2.7 billion a year raised as a result towards tax cuts.

The national insurance cut from April will be worth an average of £450 for workers and £350 for the self-employed.

A general election is due to take place by January 2025.