POLITICIANS and residents in Northumberland reacted to the Government's Autumn Statement, which was released earlier this week.

The Autumn Statement, published on November 22, announced policies on pensions, benefits, National Insurance, business rates and minimum wage among other issues.

National Insurance will be cut from 12 per cent to 10 per cent for workers earning between £12,570 and £50,268 from January 6. Pension payments will increase by 8.5 per cent from April in line with average earnings.

Our readers shared their thoughts on the Statement.

Gibby Raine said: "National Insurance and income tax thresholds, which determine when you start paying each tax, will remain frozen until April 2028 (as announced by the Government last year). For many, this will entirely offset the National Insurance cut."

Kate Fearns said: "On the face of it the State Pension increase and triple-lock sounds good but without increasing the personal allowance it will bring many more pensioners into the tax bracket."

Luke Alexander-Dent commented: "According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, economic growth for the next two years will be significantly lower than previously expected and the percentage of people’s income being paid in tax will rise to its highest level in 70 years."

Joe Morris, Labour's candidate for Hexham, said: "The Autumn Statement contained thin gruel for the people of our constituency. It was supposed to be a statement for growth, but growth forecasts were reduced, taxes are still heading to their highest level for decades and living standards are still falling.

"Labour will support measures to reduce the tax burden on working people and to combat the cost of living crisis. Under the Tories, during the course of this Parliament, living standards will have fallen by 3.1 per cent - the only such occurrence in history.

"That means the cost of living crisis hitting all of us isn't going away under the Conservatives. It's time for a change in this constituency. Only Labour can beat the Conservatives here - let's unseat Guy Opperman and secure a better deal for Hexham, Prudhoe, Ponteland and the rest of our constituency.

"The OBR cut the growth forecast next year from 1.8 per cent to 0.7 per cent, and in 2025 from 2.5 per cent to 1.4 per cent.

"Going into this week’s statement the Government was increasing taxes by the equivalent of 10p on National Insurance. Now they have cut that by 2p - by the end of this decade taxes are set to be £4,300 higher than in 2019."

These figures are based on research by the Resolution Foundation.

Guy Opperman, Hexham MP, said: “The Government is making progress in tackling the immediate pressures in the economy, such as reducing the rate of inflation to help people across Tynedale and Ponteland with the cost of living.

"This Autumn Statement is a result of the difficult decisions the Government have taken - meaning the Government are now in a position to cut taxes, for businesses and people, and boost economic growth across Tynedale and Ponteland."