Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended the government's tax-raising Budget, saying it will help lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.

He visited the Benn Partnership Centre today (Thursday, November 27) with Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and the UK's Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband.

Starmer also discussed how this government's Budget is delivering change for working people.

Rugby MP John Slinger has welcomed Budget measures that could lift 2,020 children in Rugby out of poverty and could benefit 2,900 low-paid workers living in Rugby through minimum wage increases.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves stands next to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as he speaks during a visit to the Benn Partnership Centre.

placeholder image — Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves stands next to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as he speaks during a visit to the Benn Partnership Centre.

John praised the Chancellor's £820 million Youth Guarantee while calling for the government to go further with what he is calling a "Youth Triple Lock" – three measures beyond the Youth Guarantee that would give a much needed boost to young people across a range of areas.

The Budget announced:

£820 million over three years for the Youth Guarantee, providing every young person a place in college, an apprenticeship, or personalised job support

Free training for under-25 apprenticeships at SMEs

Minimum wage for 18-20 year olds rising from £10 to £10.85 an hour

Scrapping the two-child benefit cap, affecting 2,020 children in Rugby

John added: "When young people are written off, it costs all of us. Not just in benefits, but in lost potential, lost talent, and lost contribution to our communities.

"I'm delighted the Chancellor said this Labour Government is 'on the side of kids and will back their potential'. Now I'm calling for a "Youth Triple Lock" that could include measures such as free bus travel, increasing maintenance loans above inflation, or a voucher scheme for constructive activities.

"Ending the two-child cap isn't just anti-poverty, it's pro-prosperity. It's about life chances for all our children."

The Budget also delivers cost of living support for Rugby residents: energy bills falling by £150 on average from April, with savings of £300 for lower-income households. Fuel duty, rail fares, and prescription charges are all frozen.

Around 1,090 retail, hospitality, and leisure properties in Rugby could benefit from permanently lower tax rates, alongside a new national licensing framework to support local pubs.

Find out more at https://www.nationalworld.com/topic/budget