AS the Government announced its Spring Budget 2024, we asked our readers what they would do if they were in charge of the budget.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced on March 6 the latest budget would include cuts to National Insurance and extensions to the child benefit threshold.

Here's what readers said they would do if they were in charge. 

Get rid of the television licence

June Reed said she would abolish the television licence.

Gary Oldfield replied and said: "I've not had one for 20 years and if you watch only Netflix or Prime you don’t need one, cannot stand the BBC."

Online tax

Ian Graham said he would introduce an 'online purchase tax' of 20p and 50p on every parcel, along with a '0.01 per cent tax on every financial transaction to stop bankers and traders gambling with our money'.

Renewable energy

Aaron Tuck said: "Reintroduce British factories. And focus on green energy to sort out the cost of living."

Hexham Courant: Readers mentioned renewable energy in their proposals for the budgetReaders mentioned renewable energy in their proposals for the budget (Image: Pixabay)

Nick Pepper replied: "I think you're bang on. Renewable energy should bring with it retraining, employment, manufacturing, and if dissociated from oil prices will reduce our energy bills. It should be a win-win."

Cut taxes 

Adrian Porter said: "Cut taxes, make the rich pay more, cut fuel duty and VAT, raise tax on alcohol and tobacco."

He added he would 'cut taxes for working families', and ensure people would not pay tax until they earn £20,000.

Angela Huntsman also said she would reduce taxes.

Government redesign

David Gravell said: "Get rid of the House of Lords and limit expenses to MPs."

Free childcare

Angela Huntsman said she would bring in free childcare for parents.

Get rid of foreign aid

Several readers including Dave Appleby and David Yule said they would choose to stop foreign aid to other countries.

Dispose of council tax

Bryan Davison said he would dispose of council tax. "We could take our own rubbish to the tip, would just have to hope we don't need social services and do they even fix potholes there are that many of them, it would help people have more money to themselves."